St. Olaf named a national ‘Colleges Worth Your Money’ leader
St. Olaf College has been recognized as a national “Colleges Worth Your Money” leader according to the 2021 College Transitions rankings.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based educational consulting firm cited St. Olaf’s “robust academic program,” 12:1 student-to faculty ratio, and “tight-knit and helpful alumni base” in including it on the best values list.
Carleton College, Macalester College, and the University of Minnesota are the only other Minnesota schools featured.
“St. Olaf strives to offer a rigorous academic experience, a supportive and vibrant community, and the opportunities for students to explore their interests, beliefs, and vocation. We are honored to be recognized on the Colleges Worth Your Money list,” says Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Chris George ’94.
The report also highlighted St. Olaf’s extensive general education requirements, on-campus research opportunities like the Collaborative Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (CURI) program, and 25 NCAA Division III athletic teams.
Long a St. Olaf staple, vast opportunities to study abroad were also recognized. Three-quarters of Oles spend a semester studying off campus, with the vast majority learning internationally.
St. Olaf strives to offer a rigorous academic experience, a supportive and vibrant community, and the opportunities for students to explore their interests, beliefs, and vocation.Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Chris George ’94
Citing rising higher education costs, College Transitions applauded St. Olaf’s decades-long tradition of funding need-based student financial aid for most students. Nearly two-thirds of Oles receive some form of financial aid. In 2020 more than 22 percent of students in the St. Olaf first-year class were Pell Eligible and 20 percent were the first in their family to attend college.
St. Olaf’s rigorous career readiness coursework was also recognized. Nearly 9 in 10 Oles report being adequately prepared for life beyond college and often cite their affiliation to the Piper Center for Vocation and Career as a primary reason.
Since 1995 five Oles have received coveted Rhodes Scholarships. In that same time, more than 120 graduates have been named national Fulbright recipients, including 9 for the 2020-21 academic year.