St Olaf vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

St Olaf vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest University than St Olaf ($24,401 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 26.3% lower than at Wake Forest University ($13,630 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 13.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $7,882 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at Wake Forest than at St Olaf College (about $7,882 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Wake Forest University (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 40% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($63,117 vs. $45,098).

St Olaf vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 80 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

St Olaf vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $23,500 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 88%)

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.