Gustavus Adolphus College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Gustavus Adolphus College admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 62%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1290 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,900 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Gustavus Adolphus College?

70% of enrolled students at Gustavus Adolphus College had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.65, according to its 2023-2024 Common Data Set.

What does Gustavus Adolphus College weight in admissions?

Gustavus Adolphus College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2023-2024). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Gustavus Adolphus College typically admits

The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Gustavus Adolphus College actually cost?

Published tuition is $56,076 for in-state students and $56,076 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,804 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $22,900 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Gustavus Adolphus College

Will my child graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College?

These predict outcomes at Gustavus Adolphus College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Gustavus Adolphus College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Gustavus Adolphus College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Biology, General and Business/Commerce, General. Across all programs, Gustavus Adolphus College confers roughly 326 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $61,843 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Gustavus Adolphus College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Gustavus Adolphus College disclosed 4 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Gustavus Adolphus College?

About 92% of undergraduates at Gustavus Adolphus College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 9% of men join a fraternity and 14% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Minnesota parents ask about

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
  80% acceptance
• University of St Thomas
  85% acceptance
• Carleton College
  20% acceptance
• Macalester College
  29% acceptance
• University of Minnesota Duluth
  89% acceptance
• University of Minnesota-Morris
  75% acceptance
• St Olaf College
  48% acceptance

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

• Colorado School of Mines
  61% acceptance · Colorado

Common questions parents ask about Gustavus Adolphus College