Tulane vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tulane University of Louisiana is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (13,310 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Tulane vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulane or St Olaf? 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 Tulane ($26,756 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 27.8% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($13,630 vs. $18,868).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $8,918 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at Tulane than at St Olaf College (about $8,918 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Tulane University of Louisiana (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students ($45,098 vs. $39,654).

Tulane vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tulane University of Louisiana (1460) is 70 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Tulane students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tulane - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Tulane (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.3% at Tulane vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Tulane vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tulane and St Olaf? 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).

• Graduates from Tulane University of Louisiana earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College graduates have a $529 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, St Olaf graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 62%)

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.