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From St. Olaf
St. Olaf doesn’t produce ordinary college grads. It turns out Oles (Oh-Lees). St. Olaf’s
3,000 students come from 90 countries, every state, and a variety of religious and non-
religious backgrounds. Oles choose from more than 85 majors, concentrations, and pre-
professional tracks within the intense liberal arts academic program. The long-standing
emphasis on global engagement broadens perspectives, and two-thirds of Oles study
abroad. Oles aren’t necessarily religious, but the college’s religious tradition encourages
deep self-reflection. Over 200 organizations flourish within an intensely residential
setting. The vibrant Ole community accepts, supports, and encourages, generating
lifelong friendships and invaluable connections.
St. Olaf’s beautiful 300-acre campus is located in Northfield, Minnesota, approximately
40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Liberal Arts
100% Need
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
3,019
Pell Grant 20%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%
Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%
Ethnic Diversity at St. Olaf
67% White
11% International / Non-Citizen
8% Hispanic
6% Asian / Pacific Islander
4% Multiracial
3% Black
1% Unknown
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
12:1
Graduation Rate
85%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
19%
19% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
13%
13% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Psychology
9%
9% of graduates
Mathematics
7%
7% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
6%
6% of graduates
English Language & Literature
5%
5% of graduates
Physical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
4%
4% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Education
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
3%
3% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Affordability Overview
From St. Olaf
A great college education gives you the freedom to choose your own future; too much student debt can limit that freedom. At St. Olaf, we meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, so if you are admitted you and your family can afford to attend St. Olaf.
We also offer merit scholarships in academics and the fine arts. Merit scholarships range from $2,000 to $30,000 per year.
Scholarships Overview
From St. Olaf
St. Olaf offers competitive scholarships that recognize achievement and potential for academic, artistic, service, and leadership success.
Academic scholarships are awarded on the basis of the application through the St. Olaf Admissions Office. Fine arts scholarships are awarded on the basis of the fine arts application, audition, interviews, or portfolio reviews by faculty members.
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$69,000
$47,004
$21,996
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$69,000for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at St. Olaf is $69,000. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at St. Olaf would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Minnesota scholarships
St Olaf College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at St. Olaf need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for St. Olaf is 002382 and the CSS Profile Code is 6638.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
St Olaf College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
St. Olaf has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.
Colleges that Change Lives
St. Olaf is a member of the Colleges that Change Lives coalition. This is a coalition based on Loren Pope’s 1996 book about colleges that provide an education that is valuable beyond the numbers. There are many types of schools on this list, but the organization has vetted each school to ensure it is student-friendly, offering small classes and individual attention to each pupil. These schools also tend to take a holistic approach to admissions and demonstrate strong outcomes for their alumni. Schools on this list have all undergone a thorough review to ensure that they provide a quality education to their students.
Midwest Student Tuition Exchange
St. Olaf is in a state that participates in the Midwest Student Exchange. That means that if you are a resident of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you may qualify for discounted tuition at St. Olaf. This program applies to both private and public institutions, although the discount at private institutions is lower. Check their website for more information on eligibility and what your discount would be.
Pell Grants at St Olaf College
22% of students at St Olaf College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to St Olaf College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
St. Olaf students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Overview
From St. Olaf
ARE YOU AN OLE? Oles come from all over the world and the house next door. What unites us is a sense of deep ambition: a trust in the investment of hard work. A commitment to improving ourselves while making a positive impact on others. Oles share a desire to create the kind of community and world we all want to live in – and the will to work toward it. Where some see problems, Oles see solutions. If you’re all about learning – about yourself, each other, and the world – if you believe that when we have the courage to share what makes us unique we are all richer for it, ten yes YOU’RE AN OLE
To foster our community we look for multifaceted people from diverse backgrounds who
Admissions Snapshot
56%
31
Coalition Colleges
St. Olaf is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to St. Olaf via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does St Olaf College charge an application fee?
Good news! St Olaf College does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend St Olaf College, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.
Is St. Olaf test-optional?
St Olaf College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to St. Olaf?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to St Olaf College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at St. Olaf?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at St. Olaf during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At St. Olaf students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at St. Olaf, remember that the deadline is November 1.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to St. Olaf?
Applying to St. Olaf with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Should I apply Early Action at St. Olaf?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Overview
From St. Olaf
We want to help students figure out their next steps, so we encourage students to get curious, talk to people, and try new things. 92% of St. Olaf graduates participated in an internship, research or field experience, community service, or similar experiential learning opportunity.
We offer advising and career coaching along with 5,000+ of these experiential learning opportunities designed to help you develop your four-year path, participate in hands-on experiences, and achieve your future career goals. The result? 95% of St. Olaf graduates are employed, in graduate school, or pursuing full time service work within 9 months of graduation.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$65,543
Median Debt $26,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $276
Graduation Rate 85%
What is the graduation rate at St Olaf College?
85% of students who start at St Olaf College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 27% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of St Olaf College go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at St Olaf College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $65,543. This is $15,152 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at St. Olaf take out in loans?
Graduates of St. Olaf have to take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. This is $12,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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St Olaf College
