Loyola vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Loyola vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola 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 Loyola University Chicago than Macalester College ($39,147 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 7.3% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($15,760 vs. $17,010).
• Macalester College is 26.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola (about $14,394 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at Macalester College than at Loyola University Chicago (about $14,394 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at Macalester College (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($42,766 vs. $28,816).

Loyola vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola 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 Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 160 points higher than at Loyola (1270).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Loyola).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Loyola vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola 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 Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $2,330 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($22,670 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.