by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a St. Olaf degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how St. Olaf measures up.
St. Olaf is ranked #2,063 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within Minnesota, it ranks #50 of 69 for value.
Among the majors St. Olaf offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Sociology & Anthropology | #6 of 15 |
| Political and Social Sciences | #6 of 15 |
| Other Music | #41 of 78 |
| Film Studies | #60 of 114 |
| Music Theory & Composition | #60 of 130 |
| Psychology | #62 of 109 |
| French Language & Literature | #101 of 129 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | #104 of 205 |
| Photography / Film Studies | #104 of 205 |
| Social Studies Education | #111 of 160 |
Below is the detailed St. Olaf value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
St Olaf College is ranked #5 out of #72 in Minnesota for quality and #50 out of #69 for Minnesota value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the St. Olaf financial aid page to be sure.
St Olaf College is ranked #2,063 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, St Olaf College is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at St. Olaf costs about $24,354. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $97,415 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $71,854 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $23,874 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $24,354 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $97,415 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the St. Olaf net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a St. Olaf degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $287,416 | — | — |
| All Students | $97,415 | #2,063 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $95,496 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $287,416 | — | — |
| All Students | $97,415 | #50 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $95,496 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at St. Olaf shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $9,504 |
| $30K–$48K | $11,927 |
| $48K–$75K | $15,236 |
| $75K–$110K | $21,245 |
| Over $110K | $32,708 |
About 99% of St. Olaf undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $44,394 per year. Get more details on the St. Olaf financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the St. Olaf net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.