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College of Saint Benedict vs St Olaf College

College of Saint Benedict is a private college in Saint Joseph, MN. St Olaf College is a private college in Northfield, MN. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants and College of Saint Benedict about 92%, making St Olaf College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,874 a year at St Olaf College after aid, and about $26,640 at College of Saint Benedict. About 84% of students graduate at St Olaf College, compared with 80% at College of Saint Benedict. Ten years after enrolling, St Olaf College alumni earn a median of about $65,543, against $63,260 for College of Saint Benedict.

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, MN · Private

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Saint Joseph, MN
Northfield, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,370
3,093
Acceptance rate
92%
48%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.25–3.75
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1048–1233
1300–1470
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
28–32
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,640
$23,874
Full cost / yr
$68,453
$71,843
In-state tuition
$55,756
$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
$55,756
$59,760
Application fee
Not reported
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,981
$10,404
$30k - $48k
$14,791
$11,342
$48k - $75k
$20,378
$12,584
$75k - $110k
$24,039
$20,367
Over $110k
$33,660
$33,166
Outcomes
Graduation rate
80%
84%
Freshman retention
86%
92%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,567
$48,373
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,260
$65,543
Median debt at graduation
$26,944
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
21%
First-generation students
21%
13%
International students
4%
11%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Nov 15
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is College of Saint Benedict or St Olaf College harder to get into?
St Olaf College is harder to get into. It admits about 48% of applicants, compared with 92% at College of Saint Benedict. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, College of Saint Benedict or St Olaf College?
St Olaf College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,874 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,640 at College of Saint Benedict. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at College of Saint Benedict and St Olaf College?
Before aid, College of Saint Benedict costs about $68,453 a year and St Olaf College about $71,843. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, College of Saint Benedict or St Olaf College?
St Olaf College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,404 there, against about $12,981 at College of Saint Benedict. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, College of Saint Benedict or St Olaf College?
St Olaf College is the larger of the two, with about 3,093 undergraduates against 1,370 at College of Saint Benedict.
Does College of Saint Benedict or St Olaf College have a better graduation rate?
St Olaf College has the higher graduation rate, at about 84% against 80% at College of Saint Benedict.
Do graduates of College of Saint Benedict or St Olaf College earn more?
St Olaf College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $65,543 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,260 for College of Saint Benedict. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do College of Saint Benedict and St Olaf College require SAT or ACT scores?
College of Saint Benedict is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. St Olaf College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do College of Saint Benedict and St Olaf College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1048–1233 at College of Saint Benedict and 1300–1470 at St Olaf College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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