St Olaf College vs University of Puget Sound
St. Olaf College and University of Puget Sound, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. St. Olaf, nestled in Northfield, Minnesota, boasts a higher acceptance rate (63%) compared to University of Puget Sound's selective 73%. While St. Olaf's student body is predominantly White (84%), University of Puget Sound's student body is more diverse, with 67% White students. Both institutions excel in academics, with St. Olaf's graduation rate slightly higher at 84% compared to University of Puget Sound's 82%. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, costs, and campus life, to determine which college best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() St Olaf College |
![]() University of Puget Sound |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Tacoma, Washington |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 88.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 47.4% | 88.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1240 - 1430 | 1150 - 1370 |
ACT range | 28 - 33 | 26 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 39.0% | 20.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,494 | 5,025 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,080 | 4,437 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 755 | 409 |
Yield rate | 24.5% | 9.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,570 | $73,134 |
Average net price | $27,729 | $28,221 |
Tuition | $52,670 | $55,390 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,720
Meal plan:
$6,280
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Room/dormitory:
$7,450
Meal plan:
$6,500
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $37,281 |
99.0%
Average amount $31,818 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
40.0%
Average amount $5,021 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $15,087 |
4.0%
Average amount $19,731 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,988
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
1,866
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students | N/A |
307
Men 21.5% Women 78.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 74.7% |
International students | 10.2% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 2,703 | 1,726 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Washington Oregon Colorado Minnesota |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.0% | 74.2% |
Dropout rate | 3.9% | 3.7% |
Transferred out | 11.0% | 22.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology and Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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