Organizer Information
St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, offering undergraduate education through a broad Bachelor of Arts curriculum and Bachelor of Music programs. Relevant academic areas for artists and creative applicants include the Department of Art and Art History, Film and Media Studies, Dance, Music, and Theater. The college's 2026–2027 academic catalog lists 48 B.A. majors, including Studio Art, Art History, and Film and Media Studies.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: St. Olaf College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: B.A.; B.M.
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Studio Art, Film, Media, Dance, Music, Theater
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art; Art History; Film and Media Studies; Dance; Music; Theater
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: August–January application cycle; Fall 2027 entry
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026 for Early Decision I/Early Action; 15 January 2027 for Early Decision II/Regular Decision
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: No application fee
- Tuition: $65,700 for 2026–2027
- Funding: Merit scholarships, fine arts scholarships, and need-based institutional aid available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- St. Olaf's creative and arts-related undergraduate offerings include Studio Art, Art History, Film and Media Studies, Dance, Music, and Theater. Film and Media Studies is interdisciplinary and combines critical study with practical film and media production.
- The Department of Art and Art History offers B.A. degrees in Studio Art and Art History. Its facilities support work in digital media, photography, printmaking, ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, wood and metal, and related studio practices.
- An art scholarship application is separate from general admission and requires 10 digital images of the applicant's work, together with written responses. This portfolio requirement applies to applicants seeking the art scholarship, not automatically to all applicants to the art majors.
General Eligibility
- St. Olaf accepts domestic and international first-year applicants. Admission is holistic, considering academic preparation, writing, recommendations, activities, talents, interests, and community involvement. The college states that it has no minimum GPA or standardized-test requirement for admission.
- Applicants do not normally apply to a specific major at admission. Students intending to major in Music or Nursing have separate program-specific admission processes.
- International applicants must complete the additional international application requirements described below.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must submit an official secondary-school transcript. St. Olaf recommends a broad and appropriately rigorous secondary-school curriculum, including English, science, social sciences, mathematics, and international language study. These are recommendations rather than stated minimum admission requirements.
- International applicants who have attended college or university must also submit official college/university transcripts. External examination results or diplomas are required when applicable.
Language Requirements
International applicants must submit one of the following unless the stated waiver applies:
- TOEFL: minimum 90
- Academic IELTS: minimum 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 120
The English-language requirement is automatically waived when English is the applicant's first language and/or primary language of instruction.
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $0 |
St. Olaf does not charge an application fee for its Common Application or Coalition Application process.
Tuition
| Study Level | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, 2026–2027 | $65,700 | Annual comprehensive-fee structure | Housing $7,150; meal plan $7,850; activities fee $500 |
The 2026–2027 comprehensive fee is $81,200, consisting of $65,700 tuition, $7,150 housing, $7,850 meal plan, and a $500 activities fee. The college states that the comprehensive fee is set annually. Additional costs can include books, course fees, private music lessons, special housing, and certain study-away programs.
Funding & Financial Support
- St. Olaf offers academic merit scholarships, fine arts scholarships, and need-based institutional aid. Academic merit scholarships currently range from $21,000 to $38,000 in total value, including the campus living scholarship. Fine arts awards include $5,000 per year for Art, Dance, and Theater, and $2,000–$15,000 per year for Music under the published scholarship information.
- International degree-seeking students are automatically considered for international scholarships. St. Olaf states that international scholarships have ranged from $5,000 to $81,000, and eligible international students may receive institutional need-based grants and merit scholarships. Need-based international aid requires the CSS Profile, ISFAA, or the applicable international financial-aid form.
University Services & Academic Support
- The Piper Center for Vocation and Career provides career coaching, internships, research opportunities, job resources, and career preparation. International students have access to additional career resources through Interstride, including internship and employment searches and information concerning OPT/CPT and visa sponsorship.
- Arts students have access to specialized facilities including studios, galleries, photography facilities, digital media resources, printmaking, ceramics, painting, drawing, and sculpture facilities. Access to particular studios and equipment can be restricted to students enrolled in the relevant courses.
Application Requirements
- Common Application or Coalition Application, including St. Olaf-specific questions
- Official high-school transcript
- One teacher recommendation from a core academic subject
- Required English-language test for international applicants
- Official college/university transcripts, if applicable
- Official external examination results or diploma, if applicable
- International Student Certification of Finances, when applicable
- Early Decision Agreement, if applying Early Decision
SAT and ACT scores are optional. Additional recommendations, an admissions interview, and a résumé are optional.
Art scholarship applicants must submit the separate art scholarship application, including written responses and 10 digital images of their work.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Early Decision I Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- International Financial Aid Deadline — Early Decision I: 1 November 2026
- International Financial Aid Deadline — Early Action: 1 November 2026
- International Financial Aid Deadline — Early Decision II: 15 January 2027
- International Financial Aid Deadline — Regular Decision: 15 January 2027
- Art Scholarship Deadline — Early Decision I/Early Action: 1 November 2026
- Art Scholarship Deadline — Early Decision II/Regular Decision: 15 January 2027
- Music Audition — Early Decision I/Early Action: 14 November 2026
- Music Audition — Regular Decision: 13 February 2027
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
Location
St. Olaf College — Northfield, Minnesota, United States
Additional Details
- St. Olaf's published admissions cycle currently covers Fall 2027 enrollment, while the latest published comprehensive tuition figure is for 2026–2027; tuition is set annually, so the 2027–2028 tuition figure should be confirmed when the new schedule is published.
- Students seeking direct admission to the Music program must complete the additional Music Application and provide an audition recording or participate in the applicable audition process. Music admission is selective for the B.A. and highly selective for the B.M.