Macalester College vs. St Olaf

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

Macalester College
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Macalester College (28.5% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $40,225 at Macalester College.
  • Graduation: Macalester College 87% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Macalester College $54,100 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Macalester College St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
Macalester College more selective
Macalester College28.5%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Macalester College higher
Macalester College1350-1510
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $13,469 less
Macalester College$40,225
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St Olaf $8,344 less
Macalester College$68,104
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $8,344 less
Macalester College$68,104
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
Macalester College +2 pts
Macalester College87%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Macalester College +$400
Macalester College$54,100
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Macalester College 8,968
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Macalester College 2,558
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Macalester College 28.5%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Macalester College 21.9%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Macalester College 1430
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Macalester College 32
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Macalester College 3.81
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Macalester College A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Macalester College Exceptional
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Macalester College High
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Macalester College 1350-1510
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Macalester College 30-34
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Macalester College Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Macalester College Jan 15, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Macalester College $15,760
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Macalester College $40,225
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Macalester College $42,766
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Macalester College 87%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Macalester College 87%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Macalester College $54,100
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Macalester College 89%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Macalester College $22,670
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Macalester College $234
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Macalester College 10:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Macalester College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Macalester College Large City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Macalester College 2,138
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Macalester College Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Macalester College #97
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

St Olaf College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,138 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 13.5% lower than at Macalester College ($13,630 vs. $15,760).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at Macalester College than at St Olaf College (about $8,344 more per year; $68,104 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 5.5% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($45,098 vs. $42,766).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Macalester College than at St Olaf (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Macalester College and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Macalester College average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($234 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf 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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