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Economic score
St Olaf College is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. St Olaf College is selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at St Olaf College is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $60,242 10 years after enrolling, 6th in Minnesota, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, St Olaf College bachelor students earn 2% more than the national average. St Olaf College is ranked 8th in Minnesota.
St Olaf College’s median net annual cost of $24,052 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at St Olaf College sorted by number of graduates - Biology, Economics, Music, Mathematics, English Language & Lit, Poli Sci/Government - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$24,052
Average years to graduate
4.1
Computer Science
Rank: #119
Economic score: 1.59
Registered Nursing
Rank: #385
Economic score: 2.5
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #56
Economic score: 3.56
Chemistry
Rank: #109
Economic score: 4.73
Sociology and Anthropology.
Rank: #1
Economic score: 5.07
Natural Resource Conservation
Rank: #130
Economic score: 8.2
History
Rank: #315
Economic score: 14.14
Area Studies
Rank: #54
Economic score: 24.03
Health & Fitness
Rank: #394
Economic score: 25.31
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #262
Economic score: 33.58
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.1 years. 87% of all students graduate within 8 years. The graduation rate at St Olaf College is 22% higher than the state average, and 18% above the average for all liberal arts colleges in the country.
At St Olaf College, Pell Grant recipients represent 20% of the measured graduating class, 15% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at St Olaf College graduates within 4.2 years.
St Olaf College is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
St Olaf College’s economic mobility score of 16.1 is calculated by adjusting the 1.79 economic score of lower-income students by the 20% pell grant recipients within the student body. St Olaf College’s EMS of 16.1 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at St Olaf College pays $24,052 a year, $40,958 less than the $65,010 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $24,052
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At St Olaf College, 100% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $24,052 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 50% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,687. This is 4% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,006
Pell grants
$4,906
State grants
$6,099
Institutional grants
$34,823
St Olaf College's selective admissions are indicated by their 47% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 6,494 applicants, of which 3,080 were admitted and 755 enrolled. St Olaf College doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
54%
59%
First time
96%
59%
In-state
43%
68%
1st generation
13%
35%
White
67%
52%
Black
3%
14%
Hispanic
8%
15%
Asian
7%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
15%
12%