Two Colleges, One Town

Signs on the edge of Northfield read “Cows, Colleges and Contentment.” While you may not see as many Holsteins as there once were in the late 1800s, our two colleges definitely stand out in the town’s present-day landscape. Northfield wouldn't be the same without Carleton College and St. Olaf College. Visiting their campuses is a must, even if you’re not a prospective student.

Humble beginnings

Carleton College was founded in 1866 and had 23 students its first term. Today, Carleton draws approximately 2,000 students from across the country. Visitors will especially enjoy Carleton's Japanese Garden and Arboretum. In 1874, St. Olaf College was founded to educate the Norwegian immigrants who had settled around the area. Today, St. Olaf has grown to approximately 3,000 students. Renowned as a seat of Norwegian culture in the United States, the college houses the national archives of the Norwegian-American Historical Society.

College town buzz

Because of the colleges, Northfield has an interesting blend of residents who keep our community alive with ideas. Walk into one of the town’s coffee shops or restaurants and you’ll feel a certain electricity in the air. Some might call it “college town life,” but we know it simply as Northfield’s normal buzz.

Stay in Northfield

If you’re also interested in visiting colleges around the area, why not stay in Northfield and make it your home base. We are conveniently located just one hour south of the Twin Cities, one hour north of Rochester and about 90 minutes west of St. Peter.

Take a break

Tired of talking about SAT scores, or walking from building to building? Wind down and relax with a meal and some music. There’s always something entertaining going on in Northfield. After all, you don’t think the students study all the time, do you?