UChicago vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Chicago is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

UChicago vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($26,756 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 32.2% lower than at University of Chicago ($13,630 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $10,902 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at UChicago than at St Olaf College (about $10,902 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Chicago (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 38.1% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($62,300 vs. $45,098).

UChicago vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 160 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

UChicago vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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).

• University of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $44,800 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($14,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($149 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.