St Olaf College

8/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Northfield, MN
4.8 4 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Minnesota

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

3,124

Location Northfield, Minnesota
Website stolaf.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Distant Town
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church

Best Colleges Rank

#143

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad

St. Olaf College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, approximately 40 miles south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, occupies a hilltop campus known for its distinctive limestone buildings and Nordic architectural influences. Founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants, the private liberal arts college maintains its Lutheran heritage while operating as an independent institution. The college is recognized for its strong programs in music, natural sciences, and mathematics, with its music department hosting multiple choirs and orchestras that perform internationally. St. Olaf operates on a residential model where most students live on campus in residence halls or college-owned houses, and the campus includes a natural lands area used for environmental research and recreation. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Oles, while maintaining selective admission standards for its undergraduate-only student body.

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Ratings

St Olaf is rated within the top 25% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Academics

9 out of 10
Resources

9 out of 10
Outcomes

7 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for St Olaf College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Very High

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1300/1470
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 28/32
GPA 3.68

Acceptance Rate

48.3%

Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 26.8%
Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Average

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$59,760

Costs for St Olaf College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$59,760
Books and Supplies		$1,000
Other Fees		$0
Room and Board		$13,630
Budget for Other Expenses		$900
Total One Year Cost		$75,290

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$53,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

85% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at St Olaf College are Social Sciences, Biology, and Visual and Performing Arts. 16% of students major in Social Sciences, 12% in Biology, and 10% in Visual and Performing Arts.