About Gustavus Adolphus College

Founded in 1862, Gustavus Adolphus College. is a Private college. Located in Minnesota, which is a city setting in Minnesota, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 2,250 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Gustavus Adolphus College Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 11:1. There are 184 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate64%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,44% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 11 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

96% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 74% were in the top quarter, and 37% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Gustavus Adolphus College.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
10%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
28%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
7%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
34%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
27%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
70%
“I feel extremely safe”
24%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
38%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
3%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
60%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
37%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
53%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
53%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
47%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
13%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
47%
“We only party on weekends”
40%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
73%
“There might be people who do”
27%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
10%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
28%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
7%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
34%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
27%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
70%
“I feel extremely safe”
24%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
38%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
3%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
60%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
37%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
53%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
53%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
47%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
13%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
47%
“We only party on weekends”
40%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
73%
“There might be people who do”
27%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    101 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    72 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    101 Students rated campus food 4.5 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    101 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    101 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    101 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    101 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 27 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    101 Students rated academics 4 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

Gustavus Adolphus College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Gustavus Adolphus College?

34 Students rated Gustavus Adolphus College

Raiya - 04/30/2023

I think Gustavus Adolphus College is a perfectly reasonable college - located in a smaller community about 30-45 minutes away from the closest major stores, has relatively good financial aid, and the teachers are always responsive. I know there have been issues about funding and political disputes on campus before, but I never found those too disrupting. Their dining hall food is lackluster so I highly recommend finding housing with kitchen access.

Tessa - 01/06/2022

GAC is ass. You don't matter to the administration. You are a dollar sign that can talk as far as they are concerned. They force you to stay on campus so they can uncharge you for your food and rent. You may pay nearly $1000 a month to have a roommate in your bedroom in your shitty apartment that they do not clean. The school is physically very dirty. It is not that custodial staff is bad. It's that they don't pay our custodial staff enough or hire enough or care enough to keep the place clean, even during a pandemic. If you are dibbled and need a housing accommodation, res life will do whatever illegal shit they can before you get a lawyer to threaten them. They do it to everyone. They don't want to help. They want you to shut up and pay your bills. Also, the rates of sexual assault are way higher than anyone would admit or do anything to fix. When I got here as a first year, we called this one dude "title xi guy" because he had so many title xi violations people lost track. That rapist not only stayed at the school but on the football team. They don't care about survivors, victims, marginalized people. "Make your life count" is bullshit. Their real motto is "Pay up or die."

Lillian - 12/29/2019

Anyone could find a close group of people to be friends with here. Its a small college, but big enough that you won't know everyone on campus. The professors are easily accessible for the most part, and seem to be invested the their students' learning and growth.

Elizabeth - 12/28/2019

Gustavus Adolphus College is a very good school for someone who grew up in a small town. As a student I feel valued and cared for, as professors and classmates check-in with you and genuinely care about your life outside of the classroom. Classes are abot 15 people each, and this small size is great for debate and conversation. However, ff I had any complaints, it would be that Gustavus is not very diverse. The campus is predominately white, and the students are actively calling for more diversity. Also, they are trying very hard to be sustainable, even designing the new science building to be environmently friendly, but won't put a compost bin in our dorm. The compostable products provided in the cafeteria don't matter if they can't get to the industrial composter. However, despite the few downsides, it is a very good school. It may look expensive from the sticker price, but they offer very good financial aid to keep them competitive with state and other private schools. I genuinely do love it here, and I am very glad in my choice of school.

Gustavus Adolphus College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Gustavus Adolphus College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Gustavus Adolphus College is 64%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Study HARD. Do as many different things in high school that you can possibly do. Maintain the highest grade point average you can. DO NOT DRINK OR DO DRUGS OR SMOKE OR HAVE SEX! DO NOT post stupid pictures on facebook that would defame or belittle yourself or OTHERS, your family, your church or your God. GET LOTS OF SLEEP. If you have to work outside of school, try to keep it to a minimum. Money isn't everything. SCHOOL is your NUMBER ONE JOB. DO NOT own a car. It is outrageously expensive, insurance is crazy and it does NOT make you look cool. VISIT every college campus you are interested in. You will know in your gut which one is right for you. Go to school EVERY SINGLE DAY unless you are violently ill. RESPECT your teachers in every possible way. BE KIND TO EVERYONE as you will never know who or whom just MIGHT BE YOUR BOSS one day. DO NOT burn bridges. When you are getting ready and packing for college and when you are all done, put AT LEAST half of it back. Dorm rooms are SMALL! last but not least, RELAX.

    Read all 93 answers

  3. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Before coming to this school, I didn't know a lot about the world around me. I was stuck in my own little world. I would challenge prospective students to explore and do research about life outside of their comfort zone. I am currently involved in multiple social justice organizations and activities, and I have loved the opportunity to learn new things every single day. I would challenge someone that is thinking of coming here to realize that Gustavus is a campus devoted to teaching and embracing all different ideas and cultures.

    Read all 20 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    Classmates are very friendly, helpful, supportive and encouraging when with other students, as well as they strive to see everyone succeed.

    Read all 19 answers

  5. What kind of person should attend this school?

    MOTIVATED! OPEN MINDED! SINCERE! HONEST! These are just a few of the terms that I can come up with from the top of my head in answer to the question "what type of person should attend this school". A few others: LIFE LOVER, a person who possesses,INTEGRITY, CONFIDENT, SELFLESS, SMART, HARD WORKING, MATURE, SOLID, STRONG, TALENTED,GIFTED, COMMITTED, and AWESOME. What I think is more important to answer is "who shoud NOT attend Gustavus..." do NOT even apply to Gustavus unless you are ready to work hard and accept EVERY SINGLE OPPORTUNITY to improve yourself and EXPAND your mind.

    Read all 19 answers

  6. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The diversity level at Gustavus Adolphus College is not very high. We have a great diversity center for all students as well as a great staff to assist with any problems. The college can work on trying to diversify the college community as well as providing more resources for those who need it.

    Read all 17 answers

  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    I choose Gustavus because it really feels like a college campus. It is small enough that I can walk anywhere on campus in less than ten minutes, and it is set apart from the city so there aren't any major roads running right through it. There is a strong sense of community. Most of the activities are on campus, and you never go long without seeing someone you know. I also love that Gustavus has a January Interim Experience. It is a nice break between semesters and a good chance to take a class outside of my major.

    Read all 16 answers

  8. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    My school has many activities going on everyday and the level of education here is extremely high.

    Read all 14 answers

  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    I believe that someone who is looking for a large student body in a more urban setting would not enjoy attending Gustavus. Being a small and very close-knit community in the somewhat isolated town of Saint Peter, this kind of person would not flourish in this environment. I also think that someone who is close-minded and unwilling to be accepting of others would not be an adequate fit for this school because of the close, family-like relationship the student body, teachers and staff share.

    Read all 14 answers

  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The high quality cafeteria food, the free on campus movies, and the high quality of our dorm rooms.

    Read all 14 answers

  11. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    GREATNESS in ALL aspects of Education. Education in all academic specialities, MUSIC and DRAMA and LIFE and GOODNESS! For over 150 years Gustavus Adolphus has endured the test of time and those that are lucky enough to attend this fine school, must have an INATE sense of PRIDE and be DRIVEN TO SUCCEED. This is a WONDERFUL COLLEGE and it is NOT for goof offs, or lazy people or close minded students. I visited many colleges and had many to choose from. In ALL aspects of what I needed in a college, GUSTAVUS WAS and IS the ONLY CHOICE!

    Read all 12 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    In my opinion, I believe that the relationship amongst the students, faculty and staff is undoubtedly the best thing about Gustavus. We truly feel like we are one big family. This is evident on the very first day of school as upper classmen and staff warmly accept incoming students into the community. We strive to support and help one another to the best of our ability at all times. This strong sense of community is extremely unique to Gustavus.

    Read all 11 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    It can be difficult to live on a campus so small. There are times that I just need to leave "the Hill", as we call it, because I feel like I get stuck in a patern of doing the same thing with the same group of people too often. I do wish it was larger here, but at the same time I can appreciate it being so small and intimate. I love how small it is when it comes to class discussions and being able to talk one on one with professors.

    Read all 11 answers

  14. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    YES!

    Read all 1 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Students at Gustavus go there because their parents went there and they put no thought into where they would like to go to college.

    Read all 1 answers

  16. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    The campus is secluded in a small town. There is a tight-knit feel on campus but that is because people never get out! There is NO "town" or "city" to go to, you ALWAYS stay on campus.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

54%

female

46%

male

2,250

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

21%

Out-Of-State

75%

In-State

4%

International

Organizations

120

Student Organizations

5

Fraternities

5

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

81%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
5%
% White or Caucasian
79%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

97% of students attending Gustavus Adolphus College receive some sort of financial aid. 27% were awarded federal grants.65%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$42,840

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$900

Books and Supplies

$9,400

Room and Board

53,140

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$12,707
$30 - $48K
$14,040
$48 - $75K
$15,979
$75 - $110K
$21,848
$110K & UP
$27,946

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Find your perfect match from over 3 million scholarships!

START YOUR SEARCH

CAN YOU GET INTO Gustavus Adolphus College?

Complete your profile to see if this school is a fit for you, and what your chances of admitance are.

START YOUR SEARCH

TOP STUDENT RATED COLLEGES IN Minnesota

View All Colleges in Minnesota