Macalester College vs. RISD

Macalester College and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Macalester College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 28.5%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Macalester College. Average net price is $40,225 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Macalester College 87% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Macalester College $54,100 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Macalester College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Macalester College28.5%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Macalester College1350-1510
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Macalester College $3,267 less
Macalester College$40,225
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,416 less
Macalester College$68,104
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,416 less
Macalester College$68,104
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Macalester College +0 pts
Macalester College87%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Macalester College +$3,000
Macalester College$54,100
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Macalester College 8,968
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Macalester College 2,558
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Macalester College 28.5%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Macalester College 21.9%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Macalester College 1430
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Macalester College 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Macalester College 3.81
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Macalester College A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Macalester College Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Macalester College High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Macalester College 1350-1510
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Macalester College 30-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Macalester College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Macalester College Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Macalester College $15,760
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Macalester College $40,225
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Macalester College $42,766
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Macalester College 87%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Macalester College 87%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Macalester College $54,100
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Macalester College 89%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Macalester College $22,670
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Macalester College $234
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Macalester College 10:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Macalester College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Macalester College Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Macalester College 2,138
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Macalester College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Macalester College #97
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,138 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 5.2% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($15,760 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Macalester College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,416 more per year; $68,104 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Rhode Island School of Design (87% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($42,766 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Macalester College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Macalester College average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($234 vs. $279).
  • More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (89% 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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