Macalester College vs. Lafayette College

Macalester College and Lafayette College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Macalester College
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Macalester College (28.5% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $40,225 at Macalester College vs $38,442 at Lafayette College. Macalester College in-state tuition is about $2,706 more per year.
  • Graduation: Macalester College 87% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Macalester College $54,100 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Macalester College Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Macalester College more selective
Macalester College28.5%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Macalester College higher
Macalester College1350-1510
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
About even
Macalester College$40,225
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Lafayette College $2,706 less
Macalester College$68,104
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Lafayette College $2,706 less
Macalester College$68,104
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +1 pts
Macalester College87%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$26,900
Macalester College$54,100
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Macalester College 8,968
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Macalester College 2,558
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Macalester College 28.5%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Macalester College 21.9%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Macalester College 1430
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Macalester College 32
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Macalester College 3.81
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Macalester College A-
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Macalester College Exceptional
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Macalester College High
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Macalester College 1350-1510
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Macalester College 30-34
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Macalester College Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Macalester College Jan 15, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Macalester College $15,760
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Macalester College $40,225
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Macalester College $42,766
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Macalester College $54,100
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Macalester College 89%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Macalester College $22,670
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Macalester College $234
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Macalester College 10:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Macalester College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Macalester College Large City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Macalester College 2,138
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Macalester College Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Macalester College #97
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,138 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 20.7% lower than at Lafayette College ($15,760 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Macalester College than at Lafayette College (about $2,706 more per year; $68,104 vs. $65,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Lafayette College (87% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($44,707 vs. $42,766).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Macalester College and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Macalester College average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,330 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($234 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 89%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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