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Rank: 100

St Olaf College

St. Olaf College is particularly well-known for its Music Department, but the liberal arts school offers a broad range of majors. (The most popular ones in recent years have been biology, economics, psychology, and chemistry.) Located in southeastern Minnesota, St. Olaf was founded by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants whose legacy is still evident in the school's Lutheran affiliation and renowned Nordic studies program. Academics are rigorous, with a general education core that every student must complete, and St. Olaf's 86% graduation rate - slightly over what would be expected from schools of a similar caliber - is a testament to this rigor. It might get (very) cold in the winter, but St. Olaf students find plenty of ways to keep busy indoors through clubs, performing arts groups, and service organizations. Social life mostly takes place on campus, in nearby Northfield (where Oles mingle with students from rival college Carleton), or 45 minutes away in Minneapolis-St. Paul. St. Olaf is also one of the most forward-thinking colleges in the country when it comes to environmental sustainability. A wind turbine provides much of the school's electricity, and students run the campus organic farm that provides produce and flowers to the local St. Olaf community and educates students on sustainable food initiatives.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
FALL 2020 PLAN: St. Olaf College began a phased reopening over the summer months, ramping up toward the full on-campus experience for students. Only essential visitors will be allowed on campus, and travel and events have restrictions.
costs
Est. Full Price 2020-2021
$62,000
% of students who get any grants
93%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$28,100
Average price for low-income students
$10,900
admissions
Acceptance rate
50%
Median SAT/ACT Score
1300/29
SAT/ACT Required for Fall 2021?
no
Enrollment
3,020
Financial Aid
% of students with need who get grants
100%
% of need met
95%
% of students who get merit* grants
21%
Average merit grant
$17,160
student success
Graduation rate
86%
Average time to a degree
4.1 years
Average student debt
$23,000
Average salary within 5 years
$49,700
% earning more than $28,000
82%
key deadlines
Early decision application
Nov 15
Regular application
Jan 15

* Share of full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants.

* Full price of attendance includes on-campus room & board fees, which may not be applicable to all colleges' reopening plans this year.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson's, PayScale.com, Money/American Institutes for Research calculations, Opportunity Insights.

coronavirus update

FALL 2020 PLAN: St. Olaf College began a phased reopening over the summer months, ramping up toward the full on-campus experience for students. Only essential visitors will be allowed on campus, and travel and events have restrictions.

* Share of full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants.

* Full price of attendance includes on-campus room & board fees, which may not be applicable to all colleges' reopening plans this year.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson's, PayScale.com, Money/American Institutes for Research calculations, Opportunity Insights.

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