St Olaf College vs Southwest Minnesota State University
St Olaf College is a private college in Northfield, MN, and Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university in Marshall, MN. St Olaf College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 48% of applicants against 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Southwest Minnesota State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,291 a year against $23,874 at St Olaf College. About 84% of students graduate at St Olaf College, compared with 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Ten years after enrolling, St Olaf College alumni earn a median of about $65,543, against $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University.
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- Is St Olaf College or Southwest Minnesota State University harder to get into?
- St Olaf College is harder to get into. It admits about 48% of applicants, compared with 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, St Olaf College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,291 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 St Olaf College and Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Before aid, Southwest Minnesota State University costs about $24,757 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, St Olaf College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- St Olaf College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,404 there, against about $10,559 at Southwest Minnesota State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, St Olaf College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- St Olaf College is the larger of the two, with about 3,093 undergraduates against 2,315 at Southwest Minnesota State University.
- Does St Olaf College or Southwest Minnesota State University have a better graduation rate?
- St Olaf College has the higher graduation rate, at about 84% against 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University.
- Do graduates of St Olaf College or Southwest Minnesota State University earn more?
- St Olaf College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $65,543 ten years after enrolling, against about $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do St Olaf College and Southwest Minnesota State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- St Olaf College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southwest Minnesota State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do St Olaf College and Southwest Minnesota State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1300–1470 at St Olaf College and 935–1102 at Southwest Minnesota State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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