St Olaf vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Whitman College 10:1.

St Olaf vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Whitman College? 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 St Olaf College than Whitman College ($26,756 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 9.6% lower than at Whitman College ($13,630 vs. $15,080).
• Whitman College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $4,290 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Whitman College than at St Olaf College (about $4,290 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Whitman College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($45,098 vs. $40,489).

St Olaf vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 10 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Whitman College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at Whitman College (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

St Olaf vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Whitman College? 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($17,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($180 vs. $279).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St Olaf students, three years after graduation. (93% vs. 91%)

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.