Macalester College vs. Whitman College

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

Macalester College
Whitman College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Macalester College (28.5% admitted vs 38.1%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Whitman College. Average net price is $37,633 vs $40,225 at Macalester College.
  • Graduation: Macalester College 87% vs Whitman College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Macalester College $54,100 vs Whitman College $56,900 (median).
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Key differences

Macalester College Whitman College
Acceptance rate
Macalester College more selective
Macalester College28.5%
Whitman College38.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Macalester College higher
Macalester College1350-1510
Whitman College1310-1480
Average net price
Whitman College $2,592 less
Macalester College$40,225
Whitman College$37,633
In-state tuition
Whitman College $4,054 less
Macalester College$68,104
Whitman College$64,050
Out-of-state tuition
Whitman College $4,054 less
Macalester College$68,104
Whitman College$64,050
Graduation rate
Macalester College +1 pts
Macalester College87%
Whitman College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Whitman College +$2,800
Macalester College$54,100
Whitman College$56,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Macalester College 8,968
  • Whitman College 7,243
  • Admitted
  • Macalester College 2,558
  • Whitman College 2,763
  • Acceptance rate
  • Macalester College 28.5%
  • Whitman College 38.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Macalester College 21.9%
  • Whitman College 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Macalester College 1430
  • Whitman College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Macalester College 32
  • Whitman College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Macalester College 3.81
  • Whitman College 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Macalester College A-
  • Whitman College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Macalester College Exceptional
  • Whitman College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Macalester College High
  • Whitman College High
  • SAT range
  • Macalester College 1350-1510
  • Whitman College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Macalester College 30-34
  • Whitman College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Macalester College Test optional
  • Whitman College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Macalester College Jan 15, 2027
  • Whitman College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Room & board
  • Macalester College $15,760
  • Whitman College $15,080
  • Average net price
  • Macalester College $40,225
  • Whitman College $37,633
  • Average grant aid
  • Macalester College $42,766
  • Whitman College $40,489
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Whitman College 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Whitman College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Macalester College $54,100
  • Whitman College $56,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Macalester College 89%
  • Whitman College 93%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Macalester College $22,670
  • Whitman College $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Macalester College $234
  • Whitman College $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Macalester College 10:1
  • Whitman College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Macalester College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Whitman College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
  • Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
  • Setting
  • Macalester College Large City
  • Whitman College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Macalester College 2,138
  • Whitman College 1,561
  • Type
  • Macalester College Private 4 Year
  • Whitman College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Macalester College #97
  • Whitman College #88

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Macalester College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,561 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
  • Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 4.3% lower than at Macalester College ($15,080 vs. $15,760).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Macalester College than at Whitman College (about $4,054 more per year; $68,104 vs. $64,050).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Macalester College (94% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($42,766 vs. $40,489).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Macalester College than at Whitman College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Macalester College and Whitman College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Macalester College average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Whitman College (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $5,170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,670).
  • Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($180 vs. $234).
  • More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation (93% 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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