Brandeis University vs. Macalester College

Brandeis University and Macalester College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Brandeis University
Macalester College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Macalester College (28.5% admitted vs 40.5%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Macalester College. Average net price is $40,225 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: Brandeis University 91% vs Macalester College 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brandeis University $66,700 vs Macalester College $54,100 (median).
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Key differences

Brandeis University Macalester College
Acceptance rate
Macalester College more selective
Brandeis University40.5%
Macalester College28.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brandeis University higher
Brandeis University1390-1520
Macalester College1350-1510
Average net price
Macalester College $3,325 less
Brandeis University$43,550
Macalester College$40,225
In-state tuition
Brandeis University $24 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Macalester College$68,104
Out-of-state tuition
Brandeis University $24 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Macalester College$68,104
Graduation rate
Brandeis University +4 pts
Brandeis University91%
Macalester College87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brandeis University +$12,600
Brandeis University$66,700
Macalester College$54,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Macalester College 8,968
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Macalester College 2,558
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Macalester College 28.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Macalester College 21.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Macalester College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Macalester College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Macalester College 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Macalester College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Macalester College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Macalester College High
  • SAT range
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • Macalester College 1350-1510
  • ACT range
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Macalester College 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Macalester College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Macalester College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Room & board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Macalester College $15,760
  • Average net price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Macalester College $40,225
  • Average grant aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Macalester College $42,766
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Macalester College $54,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Macalester College 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Macalester College $22,670
  • Median loan payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Macalester College $234
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Macalester College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Macalester College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Macalester College Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Macalester College 2,138
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Macalester College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Macalester College #97

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brandeis University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 2,138 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 21% lower than at Brandeis University ($15,760 vs. $19,944).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at Macalester College than at Brandeis University (about $24 more per year; $68,104 vs. $68,080).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Brandeis University (87% vs. 62%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brandeis University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($42,841 vs. $42,766).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Brandeis University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Macalester College (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Brandeis University and Macalester College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brandeis University average a 3.84 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Macalester College (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($234 vs. $279).
  • More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 82%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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