Macalester College vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (11,946 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 Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

Macalester College vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or U of R? 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 Macalester College than U of R ($40,225 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 20.4% lower than at University of Rochester ($15,760 vs. $19,792).
• Macalester College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $1,024 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Macalester College than at University of Rochester (about $1,024 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at University of Rochester (87% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($45,500 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or U of R? 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 U of R and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 50 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at U of R (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Macalester College vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and U of R? 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $1,830 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($22,670 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($234 vs. $253).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.