St Olaf College vs Kenyon College
St. Olaf College and Kenyon College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. St. Olaf, rooted in the Lutheran tradition, boasts a higher acceptance rate (54%) compared to Kenyon's selective admissions (32%). While St. Olaf's student body is predominantly white (84%), Kenyon's student body is more diverse, with 54% white students. Both colleges excel in academics, with St. Olaf's popular majors including music, biology, and economics, while Kenyon's strengths lie in English, history, and political science. St. Olaf's graduation rate stands at 83%, while Kenyon's is slightly higher at 86%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional colleges. Dive into the details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Kenyon College |
![]() St Olaf College |
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Overview |
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Location | Gambier, Ohio | Northfield, Minnesota |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 36.5% | 47.4% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1340 - 1500 | 1240 - 1430 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 28 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 25.0% | 16.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 28.0% | 39.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,601 | 6,494 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,778 | 3,080 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 508 | 755 |
Yield rate | 18.3% | 24.5% |
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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,270 | $66,570 |
Average net price | $38,927 | $27,729 |
Tuition | $63,060 | $52,670 |
Room & board | $13,310 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,720
Meal plan:
$6,280
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
79.0%
Average amount $32,553 |
100.0%
Average amount $37,281 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,119 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $3,894 |
9.0%
Average amount $15,087 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,875
Men 45.6% Women 54.4% |
2,988
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 10.3% | 10.2% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,868 | 2,703 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 86.5% | 85.0% |
Dropout rate | 6.5% | 3.9% |
Transferred out | 6.9% | 11.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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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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