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How to Get Into St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data

St Olaf College Admissions Statistics

48%
Acceptance Rate
660-740
SAT Reading (mid 50%)
640-730
SAT Math (mid 50%)
28-32
ACT (mid 50%)
3,093
Undergrads
84%
Graduation Rate

How to Actually Get Into St Olaf College

The bar here is clear

St Olaf College admits most qualified applicants. Clear the academic bar (the ranges below) and your odds are strong. The real questions become fit, cost, and whether it earns its slot on your list, not whether you can get in.

Position your scores against the real bands

The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1300-1470 combined SAT or 28-32 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you and this can behave like a target. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Since scores are not required (test-optional) here, submit only if you're inside or above the band; a below-band score is information you don't have to volunteer.

Use the Early Decision round deliberately

St Olaf College offers Early Decision, which is binding. The early bump is real but overstated (hooked applicants cluster early and inflate it). Spend ED once, on the school where it actually moves you a tier, and only if the money works without comparing aid offers. If that school is St Olaf College, the deadline table below is your calendar.

The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where St Olaf College fits.

St Olaf College Application Deadlines (2025-2026)

Round Deadline
Early Action (EA) November 1, 2025
Early Decision (ED) November 1, 2025
Early Decision II (ED II) January 15, 2026
Regular Decision (RD) January 15, 2026

Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.

Application Requirements & Costs

Application platform Common App
Application fee $0
Test scores Not required (test-optional)
Writing supplement Not required
Counselor recommendation Not required
Teacher evaluations 1

St Olaf College Cost & Financial Aid

Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) $71,843
Tuition & fees $59,760
Room & board (on campus) $13,630
Average net price (aid-receiving families) $23,874

What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income

Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:

Family income Average net price / year
$0-30k $10,404
$30-48k $11,342
$48-75k $12,584
$75-110k $20,367
$110k+ $33,166
21%
Students receiving Pell Grants
42%
Students taking federal loans
92%
Freshman retention rate
11:1
Student-faculty ratio

These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:

Use St Olaf College's Official Net Price Calculator →

More St Olaf College Data, Coming Soon

We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for St Olaf College:

Programs & Majors Soon Every degree program at St Olaf College, with outcomes
Transfer Pathways Soon How to transfer into St Olaf College, and where transfers come from
Institutional Aid Soon St Olaf College's own grants and how they're awarded
Private Scholarships Soon Outside scholarships St Olaf College students actually win

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