On its 300-acre campus, St. Olaf College is known as "The Hill" and has 10 sports facilities, 29 student housing, and 17 academic and administrative buildings. St. Olaf is a residential institution, with 18 academic and special interest group houses and 11 residence halls housing 96% of the student body. In addition to a utility-grade wind turbine that provides up to one-third of the college's electricity, St. Olaf owns and maintains 325 acres of restored wetlands, forests, and native tall grass prairie next to campus. The Steensland Library, designed by Omeyer and Thori, and Old Main, designed by Long and Haglin, are two of the campus's structures that are included on the National Register of Historic Places. St. Olaf was listed as one of the most picturesque college campuses in the US by Travel+Leisure in 2011. Until his death in 2014, Edward Sövik was a professor of art at St. Olaf and a liturgical architect. He created or helped design 20 campus buildings.

There are around 3124 students in the university.

Academic transcripts, a recommendation letter, and an application through the Coalition Application or Common Application are required of international students applying to St. Olaf College. Official results from the TOEFL (minimum 90 iBT), IELTS (minimum 6.5), or Duolingo (minimum 120) are used to demonstrate English competence. The CSS Profile must also be submitted by students who are applying for financial help.

Unless English is their first language or the main language of instruction, international students applying to St. Olaf College must submit an online application, transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions, and results from an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo). Teacher ratings and SAT/ACT scores are optional but advised. Applicants for financial aid must additionally complete an International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) and/or the CSS Profile.

St. Olaf has a 24/7 campus security team that works to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff. The blue light emergency phones are located across campus for immediate access to security. There are regular safety training sessions and emergency protocols in place, including SMS alert systems for students in case of emergencies.

St. Olaf has a vibrant student life, with over 200 student organizations including cultural clubs, academic societies, and volunteer groups. The college emphasizes community-building through regular campus events, traditions, and opportunities for student involvement. Choral and instrumental music groups play a significant role in campus culture, and the internationally renowned St. Olaf Choir is one of the highlights of student life.

St. Olaf College offers a variety of residential housing options, including dormitories and townhouses, that cater to first-year students as well as upperclassmen. Each residence hall is staffed with resident assistants (RAs) and area coordinators who help create a safe and supportive environment. There are Themed Housing Communities for students who want to live with peers who share similar academic or cultural interests. The college guarantees on-campus housing for all four years, fostering a close-knit community.

The Piper Center for Vocation and Career helps students explore career paths, secure internships, and find post-graduation employment opportunities. Services include career counseling, resume workshops, networking events, and access to on-campus recruitment by top employers. The Piper Center also offers alumni mentorship programs, where current students are paired with successful alumni for career guidance.