ISU vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Macalester College 10:1.

ISU vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Macalester College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than Macalester College ($17,779 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 31.4% lower than at Macalester College ($10,808 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 531.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $57,317 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.8% higher at Macalester College than at Iowa State University (about $39,223 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Iowa State University (87% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 296.3% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($42,766 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Macalester College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Macalester College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 190 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Macalester College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

ISU vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Macalester College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Macalester College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $400 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $1,198 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,670 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($234 vs. $246).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.