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Saint Mary's University of Minnesota vs St Olaf College

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private university in Winona, MN. St Olaf College is a private college in Northfield, MN. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota about 93%, making St Olaf College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,704 a year at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota after aid, and about $23,874 at St Olaf College. About 84% of students graduate at St Olaf College, compared with 67% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Ten years after enrolling, St Olaf College alumni earn a median of about $65,543, against $58,170 for Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN · Private

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Winona, MN
Northfield, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,073
3,093
Acceptance rate
93%
48%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1030–1196
1300–1470
ACT (middle 50%)
21–28
28–32
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,704
$23,874
Full cost / yr
$57,380
$71,843
In-state tuition
$45,080
$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
$45,080
$59,760
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,182
$10,404
$30k - $48k
$15,175
$11,342
$48k - $75k
$15,030
$12,584
$75k - $110k
$14,771
$20,367
Over $110k
$6,135
$33,166
Outcomes
Graduation rate
67%
84%
Freshman retention
75%
92%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,549
$48,373
Median earnings (10 yr)
$58,170
$65,543
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
25%
21%
First-generation students
26%
13%
International students
2%
11%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota or St Olaf College harder to get into?
St Olaf College is harder to get into. It admits about 48% of applicants, compared with 93% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota or St Olaf College?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,704 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and St Olaf College?
Before aid, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota costs about $57,380 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, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota or St Olaf College?
St Olaf College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,404 there, against about $16,182 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota or St Olaf College?
St Olaf College is the larger of the two, with about 3,093 undergraduates against 1,073 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Does Saint Mary's University of Minnesota or St Olaf College have a better graduation rate?
St Olaf College has the higher graduation rate, at about 84% against 67% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Do graduates of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 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 $58,170 for Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and St Olaf College require SAT or ACT scores?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. St Olaf College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and St Olaf College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1030–1196 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and 1300–1470 at St Olaf College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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