St Olaf vs. Viterbo

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Viterbo based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Viterbo University is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Viterbo University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Viterbo University 10:1.

St Olaf vs. Viterbo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Viterbo? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Viterbo University than St Olaf ($21,933 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Viterbo University are 16.9% lower than at St Olaf College ($11,320 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 74.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Viterbo (about $25,510 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $34,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at St Olaf than at Viterbo University (about $25,510 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $34,250.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Viterbo University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 91.3% larger than aid received by Viterbo University students ($45,098 vs. $23,573).

St Olaf vs. Viterbo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Viterbo? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Viterbo and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 180 points higher than at Viterbo (1210).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Viterbo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Viterbo University 1040/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Viterbo University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Viterbo - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Viterbo (3.5).
• Viterbo has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 15.9% at Viterbo.

St Olaf vs. Viterbo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Viterbo? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Viterbo University's (49%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Viterbo graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Viterbo University and St Olaf graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Viterbo University and St Olaf graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Viterbo students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.