St. Olaf doesn't produce ordinary college grads. It turns out Oles (Oh-Lees). St. Olaf's 3,000 students come from 95 countries, nearly every state, and a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds. Oles choose from more than 85 majors, concentrations, and pre-professional tracks within the intense liberal arts academic program. The long-standing emphasis on global engagement broadens perspectives, and two-thirds of Oles study abroad. Oles aren't necessarily religious, but the college's religious tradition encourages deep self-reflection. Over 200 organizations flourish within an intensely residential setting. The vibrant Ole community accepts, supports, and encourages, generating lifelong friendships and invaluable connections. St. Olaf's beautiful 300-acre campus is located in Northfield, Minnesota, approximately 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul
About
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Campus Visits Contact
Director of Enrollment Operations
1520 St. Olaf Ave.
Northfield, MN 55057
Experience College Life
The Lion's Pause (student-run nightclub and pizzeria)
Tostrud and Skoglund Recreational Center and Ice Arena
Holland Hall (top floor!)
The Cage, Buntrock Commons (cafe with the best cookies)
Live theater at the Guthrie or Ordway in the Twin Cities
Multitude of concert venues in the Twin Cities
Any of the 4 professional sports arenas in the Twin Cities
Mall of America
Campus Tours
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
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Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
We're looking for smart, ambitious, creative people who want to be challenged. We want multifaceted people who will contribute to, as much as draw from, our campus community.
The students who thrive at St. Olaf have a strong sense of themselves, whether or not they arrive here with a clear idea of what they will study. Our students have varied talents and interests, from arts to athletics to languages. They have differing learning styles, and find that St. Olaf balances deep academic focus in a singular field with broad interdisciplinary study.
Application Cycles
Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision
Application Process
Part One: Begin by completing Part One on the St. Olaf College website at go.stolaf.edu/PartOne.
Part Two: Continue by submitting the Common Application or Coalition Application.
Links for both applications can be found at go.stolaf.edu/apply.
The following materials need to be provided in Part Two:
- The Common Application or the Coalition Application
- High school transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher in a core academic subject.
- ACT or SAT test scores (Optional)
- We accept unofficial test scores; however, students would need to provide the official scores before enrolling
Deadlines:
- Early Decision 1: November 15
- Early Action: November 15
- Early Decision 2: January 15
- Regular Decision: January 15
Go.stolaf.edu/apply
Overview
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Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Early Decision II — January 15
Early Action — November 1
Regular — January 15
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Application Essay
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Academics
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From The School
Academic Programs
Conversation is at the heart of a St. Olaf education. We want students to develop the ability to listen carefully, argue forcefully, and be the kind of engaged thinker who makes a conversation more interesting. St. Olaf's signature Conversation programs are interdisciplinary, team-taught explorations that take students on five distinct intellectual journeys through influential texts and ideas that have shaped our past and will guide our future. Learn more about our Conversation programs and Learning Communities
Majors and Degrees Offered
St. Olaf will challenge you with the breadth and depth of a rigorous liberal arts education. Within your major, professors will expect you to master the discipline, demonstrate your knowledge, and see the connections between big ideas. We offer a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degree.
Majors Offered:
Ancient Studies, Art History, Art (Studio), Asian Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese, Classics, Computer Science, Dance, Education, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Exercise Science, French, German, Greek, History, Japanese, Latin, Latin American Studies, Mathematics, Medieval Studies, Music, Church Music (Bachelor of Music), Music (Bachelor of Arts), Music Education (Bachelor of Music), Elective Studies (Bachelor of Music), Performance (Bachelor of Music), Composition (Bachelor of Music), Norwegian, Nursing, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Race and Ethnic Studies, Religion, Russian, Russian Area Studies, Social Studies Education, Social Work, Sociology/Anthropology, Spanish, Theater, Women's and Gender Studies Concentrations (St. Olaf's version of a minor):
Africa and the African Diaspora.
Asian Studies, Biomolecular Science, Data Science, Engineering Studies, Environmental Studies, Family Studies, Film Studies, German Studies, International Relations, Latin American Studies, Linguistic Studies, Management Studies, Mathematical Biology, Media Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Neuroscience, Nordic Studies, Race and Ethnic Studies, Statistics, Women's and Gender Studies.
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
Asian Studies/Civilization.
Ethnic Studies.
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other.
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.
Latin American Studies.
Russian Studies.
Scandinavian Studies.
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
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EDUCATION.
Education, General.
Music Teacher Education.
Social Studies Teacher Education.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Latin Language and Literature.
Norwegian Language and Literature.
Russian Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
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HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
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HISTORY.
History, General.
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LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Ancient Studies/Civilization.
Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
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PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.
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PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Social Work.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
Economics, General.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology and Anthropology.
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THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS.
Religious/Sacred Music.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Art/Art Studies, General.
Dance, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Music Performance, General.
Music Theory and Composition.
Music, General.
Music, Other.
Musicology and Ethnomusicology.
Students Say
Professors at St. Olaf are universally beloved, helping with "everything from a mistake on a homework assignment, a course concept that is confusing, writing a thesis for a paper, planning course schedules, and advising students on how to reach their long-term goals." The best classes "tend to include a lot of discussion and focus on the process of learning rather than the graded outcome"; indeed, academic innovation thrives at St. Olaf, with courses featuring "conversation dinners for language classes, exploratory field trips, exhibition tours for art courses, guest speakers, and interactive seminars." Professors also organize "panels of people to share their expertise and perspectives (such as a panel of local farmers when studying environmental science)." Academics are "challenging with enough resources that they're manageable," and the school "gets students ready to apply to jobs, internships, and graduate school all over the course of four years."
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Students Say
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Comprehensive Fee: $63,110
Financial Aid
Meeting 100% of Your Financial Need: Choosing a college involves finding a school with the academic, social and most importantly financial fit. At St. Olaf, we are committed to making education affordable to attract and educate a diverse student body of thoughtful and talented young people from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Our commitment includes meeting the full demonstrated need for all students and offering a merit scholarship program to recognize your academic success, your talent in the fine arts, and being a servant-leader in your community.
Scholarships St. Olaf merit scholarships are awarded in recognition of past achievement and future potential in academics, fine arts, service leadership, and community engagement. While your grades and test scores are primary components, scholarship awards reflect our holistic approach to admission and take into consideration your extracurricular involvement, the strength of your writing, and your recommendations. All scholarships are renewable for up to four years, provided you remain in good academic standing and are enrolled full time. Academic scholarships range from $15,000–$28,000 per year and service-leadership scholarships range from $2,000–$6,000 per year. Students are automatically considered for academic and service-leadership scholarships when they submit an application for admission.
Fine arts scholarships are awarded on the basis of the fine arts application, auditions, interviews, and/or portfolio reviews by faculty members. Applications for fine arts scholarships are due on your applicable application deadline. Finalists for fine arts scholarships are notified in late January and are invited to visit campus and audition in late February or early March. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $15,000 per year.
Our Commitment To Affordability
Family Income Range% | Minimum Grants & Scholarships Provided |
---|---|
$75,000 and below | $52,000 (Approximately Full Tuition) |
$75,001-$130,000 | $40,000 |
$130,001-$200,000 | $32,000 |
$200,000 – $300,000 | $20,000 |
*Assuming typical assets
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Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Lifelong connections are formed on the Hill. For Oles, college means community: it's the difference between being part of a neighborhood and being lost in a crowd. Here, students come together to work, study, and play. Here, you'll find people who share your passions, and people who ignite new ones. Here, you'll find people who will be lifelong friends.
An Ole's experience is a wider world experience.
- #1 among baccalaureate colleges for 11 years in a row in the number of students who study abroad
- 123 established domestic or international off-campus study programs offered
- 73% of the Class of 2019 studied off campus
- 41 countries in which St. Olaf has active programs
The Glenn and Myretta Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion aims to foster an inclusive environment across the intersections of race and identity that students bring to St. Olaf by providing resources and programs that support student success, engagement, leadership and intercultural understanding.
Oles don't just land jobs, they find vocations. The Piper Center for Vocation and Career will help you identify your interests and abilities, and shape your education accordingly.
- Within six months after graduation, 97% of Oles are employed, in full-time service projects, or in graduate or professional school.
- Ranked 11th overall among the nation's 239 baccalaureate colleges in the number of graduates who go on to earn doctoral degrees.
Explore the things you love. Almost everyone is involved in something, and more than a few Oles are involved in one thing too many. That's normal when you put talented and motivated people together. We have 50+ Academic Organizations, 15+ Athletic Clubs, 15+ Multicultural Organizations, 10+ Club Sports, 35+ Volunteer Network Organizations. Strike out in new directions, try new things, or find a new niche, this is a great community in which to do that. Exploration and experimentation are exciting. You never know where they'll lead. Visit Oleville
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
St. Olaf is located on top of a hill, surrounded by 350 acres of natural lands for recreation and environmental study. Northfield, MN is a small historical college town of 20,000 people.
Off-Campus Opportunities
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, offer an international airport, the second highest number of theater seats per capita, and arena for all major professional sports.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Students Say
Special Needs Admissions
Documentation Required for LD
Verification of Disability including full neuropsychological assessments used to determine the functional limitations of the disability. Assessment findings and recommendations for equal access in higher education.Documentation Required for ADHD
Verification of Disability including full neuropsychological assessments used to determine the functional limitations of the disability. Assessment findings and recommendations for equal access in higher education.Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Skiing Downhill Alpine
Skiing Nordic Cross Country
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Ice Hockey
Skiing Downhill Alpine
Skiing Nordic Cross Country
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Sustainability
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/