Despite a high sticker price, this school is affordable for many families due to generous need-based aid. Strong support for lower-income students.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at St Olaf College
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$60K
+
Room
$14K
+
Books
$1,000
=
Sticker Price
$71,843
$60K+$14K+$1,000=$71,843
Your Family Income
Sticker
$71,843
−
Your Aid
$59,259
=
Net Price
$12,584
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
St Olaf College Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$71,843
Tuition and Fees
$59,760
Room and Board
$13,630
Books and Supplies
$1,000
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$47,969
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$23,874
St Olaf College Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$10,404
$30–48k
$11,342
$48–75k
$12,584
$75–110k
$20,367
$110k+
$33,166
Understanding Your Aid Package
St Olaf College has a sticker price of $71,843 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $71,843/year
Average aid: $47,969 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$12,584/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$10,404/year
21% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
21%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
13%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$26,000
Range (25th–75th)$12,632 – $27,000
Median Parent PLUS Loans$40,568
Debt Manageability
0.46x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$65,543
Earnings Growth
+36%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$-17,675
8th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$46,256
25th %ile
$88,706
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about St Olaf College Cost & Financial Aid
St Olaf College's published tuition is $71,843 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $12,584—a difference of $59,259.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $10,404 at St Olaf College. 21% of students receive Pell Grants.
St Olaf College offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for St Olaf College graduates is $26,000, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $276 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $33,166 at St Olaf College—still $38,677 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
