St. Olaf College

St Olaf College Northfield, MN · Private · 3,093 undergrads

• Admit rate: 48.3% (5,956 applicants)
• SAT middle 50%: 1300–1470 (ACT 28–32)
• Undergraduates: 3,093 (10.5% international)
• Average net price: $23,874 (per year after aid)
• Graduation rate: 84% (within 6 years)

Deadlines

• Early Decision: Nov. 1, 2026
• Early Action: Nov. 1, 2026
• Early Decision II: Jan. 15, 2027
• Regular Decision: Jan. 15, 2027

Editor's notes

• St. Olaf rates the essay Very important in its CDS, a step above recommendations (Important) and test scores (Considered). The college says the supplement is the best place to hear why you want St. Olaf and highly recommends the optional essay. Write it. Those 10-word answers count too: specific nouns, no filler.
• Interest counts here, and St. Olaf says so in writing: visits, interviews, meeting officers on the road and on-time materials are all things it considers, and the CDS rates interest Important. If you can't visit, book a virtual interview with your officer. It's a conversation, not an exam.
• Look hard at the ED math before you commit. The Class of 2030 profile shows a 63% ED admit rate against 41.4% overall, and every ED admit gets at least $30,000 in scholarships. It's binding, so run MyinTuition or the net price calculator first. ED 2 on Jan. 15 gives you more time with the same benefits.

Sources

1. St. Olaf Admissions, Apply (deadlines and Early Decision commitments)
2. St. Olaf Admissions, Checklist and deadlines
3. St. Olaf Admissions, Applying early
4. St. Olaf Admissions, FAQs
5. St. Olaf Admissions, What we look for in an application
6. St. Olaf Admissions, Class profile (Class of 2030)
7. St. Olaf College Common Data Set 2025-26, Section C
8. St. Olaf Admissions, Scholarships
9. Common App, 2026-27 first-year requirements grid
10. St. Olaf Admissions, How to find the St. Olaf supplement to the Common Application (archived 2025 page)