Minnesota vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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 Twin Cities 17:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Minnesota vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 Twin Cities than St Olaf ($17,209 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 1.6% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($13,630 vs. $13,856).
• St Olaf College is 247.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota (about $42,546 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $17,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.8% higher at St Olaf than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $21,398 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 259.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($45,098 vs. $12,552).

Minnesota vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 10 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Minnesota vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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 Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $6,815 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($20,185 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 74%)

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.