DU vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

University of Denver is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Denver 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 Denver 9:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

DU vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU 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 DU ($26,756 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 23.3% lower than at University of Denver ($13,630 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $1,638 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at DU than at St Olaf College (about $1,638 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Denver (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 32.8% larger than aid received by University of Denver students ($45,098 vs. $33,955).

DU vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 60 points higher than at DU (1330).
• Incoming DU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at St Olaf (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

DU vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU 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).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Denver's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 72%)

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.