St Olaf College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About St Olaf College
Set on a hill above a river valley, St. Olaf College blends a liberal arts core with hands-on learning. It's known for strength in the sciences, the arts, and the humanities, with small classes and close mentorship. Labs, performance spaces, studios, a library, and a chapel support focused work. Students find advising, tutoring, wellness care, and a practical career center.
Campus life hums with rehearsals, gallery openings, student media, prairie trail outings, and intramurals when the snow flies. And the culture is collaborative and tradition minded, with a long choral heritage and a seasonal music festival that brings people together. Career prep runs through research, internships backed by an alumni network, and connections to the Twin Cities. Northfield adds a walkable downtown, coffeehouses, the river, and plenty of ways to volunteer.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
St Olaf College offers 49 degree programs across 20 major academic fields, graduating approximately 858 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (4 programs, 138 graduates), Biological Sciences (1 programs, 96 graduates), Arts (9 programs, 81 graduates), Mathematics (1 programs, 76 graduates) and Psychology (1 programs, 68 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (4 programs, 138 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1301 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 96 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 96 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
Arts (9 programs, 81 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Film and Media Studies | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Music Performance | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0903 |
| Art History and Conservation | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Theatre Arts | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Dance | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Music | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0999 |
Mathematics (1 programs, 76 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 76 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0101 |
Psychology (1 programs, 68 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
Languages (10 programs, 52 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Language and Literature | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
| Chinese Language and Literature | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0301 |
| French Language and Literature | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0901 |
| Japanese Language and Literature | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0302 |
| German Language and Literature | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0501 |
| Norwegian Language and Literature | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0505 |
| Russian Language and Literature | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0402 |
| Classics and Classical Languages | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1200 |
| Ancient Greek Language and Literature | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1202 |
| Latin Language and Literature | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1203 |
Physical Sciences (2 programs, 51 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
Computer & IT (1 programs, 42 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
Kinesiology (1 programs, 35 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
Cultural Studies (4 programs, 34 graduates)
Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Studies | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0103 |
| Ethnic and Cultural Studies | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0200 |
| Ethnic and Cultural Studies | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0299 |
| Russian Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0110 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at St Olaf College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about St Olaf College
How much does it cost to attend St Olaf College?
The annual tuition at St Olaf College is $56,970 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $71,870 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,000 and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does St Olaf College offer?
St Olaf College offers 49 academic programs across 20 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (1 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (9 programs)
- Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis (1 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for St Olaf College?
St Olaf College has an 52.1% acceptance rate and a 26.6% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 5,956
- Students admitted: 3,106
- Students enrolled: 825
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at St Olaf College?
St Olaf College provides financial aid to 29% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $41,918 and average loans of $7,282.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,355
- State/Local grants: $6,263
- Institutional grants: $39,589
- Federal loans: $5,045
The university supports 866 students with grants and 374 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for St Olaf College graduates?
St Olaf College graduates earn a median salary of $48,373 after 6 years and $65,543 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $46,256 (25th percentile) to $88,706 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $92,100 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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