St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota · Private
St Olaf College admitted 43% of 7,310 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1320–1440 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 84% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at St Olaf College
Enter a score to see whether St Olaf College is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (43%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
St Olaf College’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 1, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 15, 2027
- Early action
- November 1, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 15, 2027
The application is free. St Olaf College asks for the Common App personal essay and one teacher recommendation. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check St Olaf College’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 55% (277 of 504), compared with 43% for all applicants.
St Olaf College offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
1,696 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 472 took it, and 23 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How St Olaf College rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Essay
Important
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
- Showing interest
Considered
- Test scores
- First generation
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religion
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Not considered
- Legacy
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.75 GPA. 40% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $71,870 a year. After grants, students paid $27,282 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is St Olaf College’s acceptance rate?
St Olaf College admitted 43% of applicants: 3,171 of 7,310 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is St Olaf College’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 1, 2026, early decision II is due January 15, 2027, early action is due November 1, 2026, and regular decision is due January 15, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for St Olaf College?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1320 to 1440, with a median around 1380. A score at or above 1380 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is St Olaf College’s application fee?
The application is free for 2026–27.
What does St Olaf College require?
Besides the application and transcript, St Olaf College asks for the Common App personal essay and one teacher recommendation.
Does St Olaf College have supplemental essays?
Yes. For 2026–27, St Olaf College asks 3 questions of its own on top of the main essay (one short answer (150 words) and a 10-word sentence. a third question is optional, up to 200 words). Its supplemental essays page lists each one word for word with the word limit.
Does St Olaf College require the CSS Profile?
Yes. St Olaf College uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
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