St Olaf College logo

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN·Private·wp.stolaf.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Greek Life

St Olaf College is a mid-size private nonprofit college in Northfield, MN. Approximately 3,093 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 23 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 23 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 44/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

St Olaf College is a mid-size private nonprofit college in Northfield, MN. Approximately 3,093 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 23 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 23 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 44/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

48%
Acceptance Rate
6,623 applications
30
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 28–32
$59,760
2024-25 Tuition
$23,874
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$13,630
Room & Board
21 meals/week
3,093
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
27%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
84%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity48% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

660700740

SAT Math

640680730

Campus Lifestyle

St Olaf College is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 23 miles from Pool 2 and 19 miles from Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Beach Access

23 miles

Pool 2

Weather

Cold Climate

36°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

St Olaf College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area, 19 miles away with 10 lifts and 45 skiable acres. All are within 28 miles of campus.

45 skiable acres10 lifts
23 mi away
125 skiable acres10 lifts
Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area

Minnesota

28 mi away
35 skiable acres7 lifts

Nearest Beach

Students at St Olaf College are 23 miles from Pool 2.

Pool 2

Ocean access within 22.6 miles

23 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Northfield, MN

Northfield has a cold climate, with winters averaging 14°F in Jan and summers peaking around 71°F in Jul.

14°Jan18°Feb30°Mar44°Apr57°May68°Jun71°Jul69°Aug61°Sep47°Oct33°Nov21°Dec

Station: FARIBAULT · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

St Olaf College in MN earns a composite safety score of 44/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

44/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety306841
30/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
68/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
41/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$59,760
Room & Board
$13,630
Total
$73,390
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week
$23,874avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

36 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Biology, GeneralBachelor's
91 grads/yr$62,818
MathematicsBachelor's
75 grads/yr$87,691
EconomicsBachelor's
75 grads/yr$84,559
Research and Experimental PsychologyBachelor's
69 grads/yr$56,282
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
52 grads/yr$57,869

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's33 grads$122,912
Mathematics
Bachelor's75 grads$87,691
Economics
Bachelor's75 grads$84,559
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's26 grads$66,314
Biology, General
Bachelor's91 grads$62,818
Sociology and Anthropology
Bachelor's24 grads$60,225
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's52 grads$57,869
Research and Experimental Psychology
Bachelor's69 grads$56,282
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
Bachelor's28 grads$54,100
Psychology, General
Bachelor's$53,666

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is St Olaf College located?

St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN. The main campus address is 1520 St Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at St Olaf College?

St Olaf College has an acceptance rate of 48%, making it selective. Out of 6,623 applicants, 3,200 were admitted in the most recent year. 3,093 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for St Olaf College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at St Olaf College scored between 28 and 32 on the ACT, with a median of 30. About 29% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend St Olaf College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, St Olaf College charges $59,760/year in tuition. Including room and board ($13,630/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $52,670/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,874/year — what students actually pay. Use St Olaf College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does St Olaf College have college sports?

Yes — St Olaf College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is St Olaf College the right fit for me?

Whether St Olaf College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (48% admit rate), avg net price ($23,874/year after aid), campus culture in Northfield, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh St Olaf College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with St Olaf College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Northfield, MN
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
School Year Weather
Cold · 36°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
44/100
Nearest Airport
Minneapolis, MN (MSP) · 29 mialso STP (33 mi), RST (51 mi)

Location

Northfield, MN

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.