Macalester College vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Macalester College vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College than Macalester College ($38,483 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 7.8% lower than at Dickinson College ($15,760 vs. $17,100).
• Macalester College is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $2,454 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Macalester College than at Dickinson College (about $2,454 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Macalester College (96% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 4% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($44,479 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 40 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Macalester College vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Dickinson 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 Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $1,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($21,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($217 vs. $234).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 89%)

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.