Macalester College vs. Haverford College

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Haverford College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Macalester College vs. Haverford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Haverford 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 Haverford College than Macalester College ($26,535 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 19.4% lower than at Haverford College ($15,760 vs. $19,548).
• Haverford College is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $2,584 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Haverford College than at Macalester College (about $2,584 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Haverford College (87% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Haverford College students is 49% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($63,742 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Haverford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Haverford College (1510) is 80 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Haverford College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Haverford College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Haverford College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Haverford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Haverford College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Haverford College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Haverford College (12.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 42.6% at Haverford College.

Macalester College vs. Haverford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Haverford 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).

• Haverford College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Haverford College earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Haverford College graduates have a $9,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($13,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Haverford College graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($134 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Haverford College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.