Mission
St. Olaf College challenges students to excel in the liberal arts, examine faith and values, and explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community nourished by Lutheran tradition.
Read more on our mission in practice
History
Founded in 1874 as a liberal studies academy, St. Olaf College stands on the homelands of the Wahpekute Band of the Dakota Nation. The college’s early leaders — a group of Norwegian immigrant pastors, farmers and businessmen — named the institution for a central figure in Norway’s political and religious history. St. Olaf College graduated its first class in 1890.
Read more about our history and heritage
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Transformative Change for a Transformative Liberal Arts Experience. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity, transparency, trust, cooperation, consensus, respect, and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening, cultivating a growth mindset, respecting those with different views, being informed by data, and understanding that the work is ongoing, collaborative, organic, and ever evolving.
By the Numbers
85+
majors, concentrations, and pre-professional tracks
39%
of the Class of 2021 graduated with two or more majors
76%
of students complete an internship before graduating
36%
of students participate in a mentored research program
Governance
St. Olaf College is governed by the Board of Regents, the President’s Leadership Team, and the Faculty Governance Committee.
St. Olaf College offers a traditional four-year liberal arts education distinguished by both breadth and depth. Within the bachelor of arts degree program, academic majors are offered in 39 different disciplines and subject areas in the natural and mathematical sciences, fine arts, social sciences, and humanities. Students also may pursue an individually designed major on any subject that permits coherent, in-depth study using resources available through the college. In addition to the bachelor of arts degree in music, the Music Department provides a professional bachelor of music degree with majors in performance, church music, theory and composition, music education, and elective studies. To enrich their learning, St. Olaf students may choose among 23 different interdisciplinary concentrations, including Asian studies, environmental studies, linguistics, and neuroscience.
Nearly three quarters of the Class of 2017 had participated in an off-campus study program. Although the global pandemic has disrupted many of the college’s study abroad opportunities, the college has active plans to provide more options as travel conditions warrant.
Among the 692 graduates in the Class of 2021, 451 (65.2%) participated in at least one off-campus study program during their four years on campus. One hundred twenty-one students (or 17.4%) participated in two or more experiences. Fifty-five percent participated only in experiences during the month-long January Interim.
Outcomes
Achievements
161 Oles have received Fulbright awards, including 13 in 2019.
35 Oles since 1997 have received Goldwater awards, including two in 2019.
9 Oles have been Rhodes Scholars.
8 Oles have received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in the past 5 years.
Graduation Rates and Retention
2014 Cohort 6-year Graduation Rate 85%
2017 Cohort 4-year Graduation Rate 79%
Freshman-to-Sophomore Retention Rate (Fall 2021-22 ) 91%
Career and Vocation
95% of graduates from the Class of 2020 were working, pursuing further education, or participating in a full-service program within nine months of graduation.
84% of alumni (less than 5 years out) find their jobs satisfying and 78% find their jobs meaningful.
According to the National Science Foundation’s Survey of Earned Doctorates, St. Olaf ranks 9th overall among the nation’s 240 baccalaureate colleges in the number of graduates who go on to earn doctoral degrees. St. Olaf earned top-10 rankings in the following fields: mathematics/statistics (2nd), life sciences and biological & biomedical sciences (3rd), education and health sciences (7th), and chemistry (9th).
Programs and Centers
St. Olaf has unique academic programs and centers providing expanded, mission-focused opportunities for learning and engagement within our community and the broader world.
Center for Advising and Academic Support
The Center for Advising and Academic Support (CAAS) provides assistance in exploring academic goals within the context of possible career and life long pursuits. CAAS supports both advisors and their advisees, and provides the information and skills to fulfill graduation, general education, and major requirements. Academic Advising also assists students in exploring possible major options, in changing advisors, in using a degree audit, class and lab schedule, and the St. Olaf Catalog.
The Institute for Freedom and Community
Encourages free inquiry and meaningful debate of important political and social issues. By exploring diverse ideas about politics, markets, and society, The Institute aims to challenge presuppositions, question easy answers, and foster constructive dialogue among those with differing values and contending points of view. Established at St. Olaf College in 2014, The Institute offers a distinctive opportunity to cultivate civil discourse within a liberal arts setting.
The Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community
Encourages the inter-religious exploration of faith, values, and vocation and provides opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to connect with each other around questions of belief, meaning, purpose, and life choices. The Lutheran Center also provides programming and guidance to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations, as well as other denominations, faiths and higher education institutions.
The Piper Center for Vocation and Career
Provides resources and experiences designed to help students leverage their liberal arts education to achieve their full potential. The Piper Center for Vocation and Career helps students explore careers, gain experience outside of the classroom, and pursue meaningful post-graduate work, service, and education.
The Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion
Aims to foster an inclusive environment through intentional support for and a focus on underrepresented students. The Taylor Center offers programming for students of color and international students, as well as the entire college community, ranging from speakers and cultural celebrations to graduation celebrations for multicultural, international, and LGBTQIA+ students.