Wheaton College vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Wheaton College vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College ($26,756 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 4.5% lower than at St Olaf College ($13,010 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 31.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $14,214 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.2% higher at St Olaf than at Wheaton College (about $14,214 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 61.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($45,098 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 20 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Wheaton College 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: Wheaton College 1260/1470; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Wheaton College vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $600 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wheaton College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 90%)

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.