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Gustavus Adolphus College vs St Olaf College

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private college in Saint Peter, MN. St Olaf College is a private college in Northfield, MN. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants and Gustavus Adolphus College about 61%, making St Olaf College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $22,900 a year at Gustavus Adolphus College after aid, and about $23,874 at St Olaf College. About 84% of students graduate at St Olaf College, compared with 76% at Gustavus Adolphus College. Ten years after enrolling, Gustavus Adolphus College alumni earn a median of about $65,607, against $65,543 for St Olaf College.

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Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN · Private

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Saint Peter, MN
Northfield, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,878
3,093
Acceptance rate
61%
48%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1160–1370
1300–1470
ACT (middle 50%)
24–30
28–32
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,900
$23,874
Full cost / yr
$67,613
$71,843
In-state tuition
$56,076
$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
$56,076
$59,760
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,015
$10,404
$30k - $48k
$10,783
$11,342
$48k - $75k
$13,875
$12,584
$75k - $110k
$19,015
$20,367
Over $110k
$29,674
$33,166
Outcomes
Graduation rate
76%
84%
Freshman retention
88%
92%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$51,546
$48,373
Median earnings (10 yr)
$65,607
$65,543
Median debt at graduation
$26,774
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
21%
First-generation students
15%
13%
International students
5%
11%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Rolling
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 Gustavus Adolphus College or St Olaf College harder to get into?
St Olaf College is harder to get into. It admits about 48% of applicants, compared with 61% at Gustavus Adolphus College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Gustavus Adolphus College or St Olaf College?
Gustavus Adolphus College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,900 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,874 at St Olaf College. 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and St Olaf College?
Before aid, Gustavus Adolphus College costs about $67,613 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, Gustavus Adolphus College or St Olaf College?
St Olaf College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,404 there, against about $12,015 at Gustavus Adolphus College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Gustavus Adolphus College or St Olaf College?
St Olaf College is the larger of the two, with about 3,093 undergraduates against 1,878 at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Does Gustavus Adolphus College or St Olaf College have a better graduation rate?
St Olaf College has the higher graduation rate, at about 84% against 76% at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Do graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College or St Olaf College earn more?
Gustavus Adolphus College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $65,607 ten years after enrolling, against about $65,543 for St Olaf College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Gustavus Adolphus College and St Olaf College require SAT or ACT scores?
Gustavus Adolphus College 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and St Olaf College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1160–1370 at Gustavus Adolphus College and 1300–1470 at St Olaf College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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