Carleton College vs. Macalester College

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

Carleton College
Macalester College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 28.5%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $40,225 at Macalester College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Macalester College 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Macalester College $54,100 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Macalester College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Macalester College28.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Macalester College1350-1510
Average net price
Carleton College $12,178 less
Carleton College$28,047
Macalester College$40,225
In-state tuition
Macalester College $788 less
Carleton College$68,892
Macalester College$68,104
Out-of-state tuition
Macalester College $788 less
Carleton College$68,892
Macalester College$68,104
Graduation rate
Carleton College +6 pts
Carleton College93%
Macalester College87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$11,500
Carleton College$65,600
Macalester College$54,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Macalester College 8,968
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Macalester College 2,558
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Macalester College 28.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Macalester College 21.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Macalester College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Macalester College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Macalester College 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Macalester College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Macalester College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Macalester College High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Macalester College 1350-1510
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Macalester College 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Macalester College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Macalester College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Macalester College $15,760
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Macalester College $40,225
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Macalester College $42,766
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Macalester College $54,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Macalester College 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Macalester College $22,670
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Macalester College $234
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Macalester College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Macalester College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Macalester College Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Macalester College 2,138
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Macalester College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Macalester College #97

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Macalester College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 10.4% lower than at Carleton College ($15,760 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Carleton College than at Macalester College (about $788 more per year; $68,892 vs. $68,104).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Carleton College (87% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($56,846 vs. $42,766).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carleton College than at Macalester College (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Macalester College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Macalester College (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $3,170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,670).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($201 vs. $234).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 89%).

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

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