Wartburg College vs St Olaf College
Wartburg College and St. Olaf College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Wartburg, nestled in Waverly, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to St. Olaf's selective admissions (38%). While St. Olaf's student body is slightly larger, both colleges share a vibrant residential campus culture. Wartburg excels in nursing and education programs, while St. Olaf shines in music and science. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Wartburg at 70% and St. Olaf at 84%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these colleges' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() St Olaf College |
![]() Wartburg College |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Waverly, Iowa |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 74.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 47.4% | 82.8% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1240 - 1430 | 973 - 1198 |
ACT range | 28 - 33 | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 8.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 39.0% | 49.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,494 | 4,024 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,080 | 3,330 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 755 | 413 |
Yield rate | 24.5% | 12.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,570 | $59,890 |
Average net price | $27,729 | $23,022 |
Tuition | $52,670 | $45,200 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,720
Meal plan:
$6,280
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Room/dormitory:
$5,730
Meal plan:
$4,260
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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 |
95.0%
Average amount $34,498 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
72.0%
Average amount $5,442 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $15,087 |
13.0%
Average amount $14,049 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,988
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
1,516
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Graduate students | N/A |
25
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 27.7% |
International students | 10.2% | 6.1% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,703 | 1,409 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.0% | 69.9% |
Dropout rate | 3.9% | 29.8% |
Transferred out | 11.0% | N/A |
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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Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
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