Trinity College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Trinity Washington University is larger than Gustavus Adolphus College based on total student enrollment (1,948 students vs. 1,906 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Trinity Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity Washington University 9:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Trinity College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity College or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Trinity Washington University than Gustavus Adolphus College ($11,755 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gustavus Adolphus College are 3.1% lower than at Trinity Washington University ($11,804 vs. $12,180).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 110.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trinity College (about $29,466 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $26,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.7% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Trinity Washington University (about $29,466 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $26,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Trinity Washington University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 85.2% larger than aid received by Trinity Washington University students ($41,450 vs. $22,386).

Trinity College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Trinity College or Gustavus Adolphus College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Gustavus Adolphus College and Trinity College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test-free; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Mar 1, 2027; Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at Trinity College vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Trinity College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity College and Gustavus Adolphus College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Trinity Washington University's (45%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Trinity College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have a $4,649 lower median loan debt than Trinity College graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,649).
• Among borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity College graduates ($279 vs. $327).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 33%)

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.