Macalester College vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); University of Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

Macalester College vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Minnesota? 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 University of Minnesota Twin Cities than Macalester College ($17,209 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 12.1% lower than at Macalester College ($13,856 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 295.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota (about $50,890 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $17,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.5% higher at Macalester College than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $29,742 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (87% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 240.7% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($42,766 vs. $12,552).

Macalester College vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 30 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

Macalester College vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Minnesota? 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 University of Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $2,485 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($20,185 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($208 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)

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.