Macalester College vs. Case Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Case Western Reserve University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Case Western Reserve University 9:1.

Macalester College vs. Case Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Case Western? 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 Macalester College than Case Western ($40,225 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 16% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($15,760 vs. $18,762).
• Macalester College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Case Western (about $1,496 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Macalester College than at Case Western Reserve University (about $1,496 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Case Western Reserve University than at Macalester College (88% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 2% larger than aid received by Case Western Reserve University students ($42,766 vs. $41,913).

Macalester College vs. Case Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or Case Western? 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 Case Western and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is 60 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Case Western students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Case Western Reserve University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Case Western - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Case Western Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Case Western students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Case Western has a higher acceptance rate (36.5%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 11.9% at Case Western.

Macalester College vs. Case Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Case Western? 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 Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $30,600 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $1,396 lower median loan debt than Case Western graduates ($22,670 vs. $24,066).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Case Western graduates ($234 vs. $248).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Case Western students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.