Academic Comparison between St Olaf and Southwest Minnesota State

St Olaf College and Southwest Minnesota State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. St Olaf is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Northfield, MN and Southwest Minnesota State is a four-year, public school located in Marshall, MN.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • St Olaf is a private (not-for-profit) and Southwest Minnesota State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • St Olaf has more expensive tuition & fees ($59,760) than Southwest Minnesota State ($10,361).
  • It is harder to admit to St Olaf than Southwest Minnesota State.
  • St Olaf has higher submitted ACT score (30) than Southwest Minnesota State (20).
  • Southwest Minnesota State has more students with 8,214 students while St Olaf has 3,124 students.
  • St Olaf has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Southwest Minnesota State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • St Olaf has more full-time faculties with 232 faculties while Southwest Minnesota State has 104 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

St Olaf Collegevs.Southwest Minnesota State University
Northfield, MinnesotaLocationMarshall, Minnesota
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$59,7602025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$10,361
Out-Of-State$10,361
99%% Receiving Financial Aid24%
$44,394Average Amount of Financial Aid$7,386
48.32 %Acceptance Rates62.18 %
26.84 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)22.20 %
1,380SAT Score-
30ACT Score20
84 %Graduation Rate45 %
11 %Transfer-out Rate36 %
92 %Retention Rate74 %
3,124Student Population8,214
232Number of Faculties104
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare