University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota Duluth than St Olaf ($20,128 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 18.5% lower than at St Olaf College ($11,110 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 309% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Duluth (about $45,150 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $14,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.9% higher at St Olaf than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $39,630 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Minnesota Duluth (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 527.6% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($45,098 vs. $7,186).

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 120 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Duluth (1270).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Duluth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $200 more per year than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Duluth graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Duluth students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 76%)

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.