The average acceptance rate at St Olaf over the past 10 years is 47.60%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 48.32%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly more competitive to gain admission to St Olaf in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 28.21%, and the 2025 yield is 26.84%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 4.20% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of St Olaf applicants increased by 11.20% (667 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 12.52% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 48.32%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that St Olaf is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 26.84%. This stable yield rate reflects consistent conversion of admissions offers into actual enrollments at St Olaf. The stability indicates predictable enrollment outcomes and sustainable admission practices.
For the 2025 admission cycle, St Olaf received approximately 6,623 applications, admitted 3,200 students, and enrolled 859 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing St Olaf's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
St Olaf 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at St Olaf over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 47.60%, while the most recent rate stands at 48.32%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 48.32%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 42.31% and for women is 53.53%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at St Olaf have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 35.97% | 25.24% | 53.48% |
| 2016-17 | 44.76% 8.79% |
34.70% 9.46% |
56.19% 2.71% |
| 2017-18 | 43.22% -1.54% |
32.27% -2.43% |
56.04% -0.15% |
| 2018-19 | 49.91% 6.69% |
49.40% 17.12% |
50.28% -5.76% |
| 2019-20 | 47.51% -2.40% |
47.48% -1.92% |
47.52% -2.76% |
| 2020-21 | 50.81% 3.31% |
48.19% 0.71% |
52.92% 5.39% |
| 2021-22 | 47.00% -3.82% |
45.01% -3.19% |
49.00% -3.91% |
| 2022-23 | 56.41% 9.41% |
51.54% 6.53% |
60.49% 11.48% |
| 2023-24 | 52.15% -4.26% |
46.73% -4.81% |
56.68% -3.81% |
| 2024-25 | 48.32% -3.83% |
42.56% -4.17% |
52.72% -3.96% |
| Average | 47.60% | 42.31% | 53.53% |
St Olaf has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 28.02% in 2015 to 26.84% in 2025, representing a 4.20% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 28.21%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at St Olaf from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 4.20% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 28.02% | 29.62% | 26.79% |
| 2016-17 | 30.47% 2.45% |
33.45% 3.83% |
28.38% 1.59% |
| 2017-18 | 30.57% 0.10% |
29.34% -4.11% |
31.40% 3.02% |
| 2018-19 | 29.49% -1.08% |
30.39% 1.05% |
28.85% -2.55% |
| 2019-20 | 29.80% 0.30% |
30.22% -0.18% |
29.50% 0.66% |
| 2020-21 | 27.43% -2.37% |
28.33% -1.88% |
26.66% -2.85% |
| 2021-22 | 25.00% -2.43% |
24.96% -3.37% |
23.98% -2.67% |
| 2022-23 | 27.89% 2.89% |
30.03% 5.07% |
26.37% 2.39% |
| 2023-24 | 26.56% -1.33% |
26.97% -3.07% |
25.51% -0.86% |
| 2024-25 | 26.84% 0.28% |
26.26% -0.70% |
26.58% 1.06% |
| Average | 28.21% | 28.96% | 27.40% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 6,058, the average number of admitted is 2,858, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 803.
The number of St Olaf applicants increased by 11.20% (667 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 12.52% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at St Olaf College from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 7,571 | 2,723 | 763 |
| 2016-17 | 6,041 -20.21% |
2,704 -0.70% |
824 7.99% |
| 2017-18 | 5,949 -1.52% |
2,571 -4.92% |
786 -4.61% |
| 2018-19 | 5,496 -7.61% |
2,743 6.69% |
809 2.93% |
| 2019-20 | 5,694 3.60% |
2,705 -1.39% |
806 -0.37% |
| 2020-21 | 5,231 -8.13% |
2,658 -1.74% |
729 -9.55% |
| 2021-22 | 6,494 24.14% |
3,052 14.82% |
763 4.66% |
| 2022-23 | 5,524 -14.94% |
3,116 2.10% |
869 13.89% |
| 2023-24 | 5,956 7.82% |
3,106 -0.32% |
825 -5.06% |
| 2024-25 | 6,623 11.20% |
3,200 3.03% |
859 4.12% |
| Average | 6,058 | 2,858 | 803 |
The following table compares St Olaf College' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Olaf College | 52.15% | 48.32% | -7.34% |
| University of St Thomas | 85.36% | 84.94% | 0.49% |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | 78.87% | 74.87% | 5.34% |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 92.78% | 88.81% | 4.47% |
| St Catherine University | 91.85% | 94.07% | -2.36% |
| Bethel University | 87.80% | 90.99% | -3.51% |
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