Westmont College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westmont College 10:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Westmont College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westmont College or Macalester College? 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 Westmont College than Macalester College ($32,172 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 7.1% lower than at Westmont College ($15,760 vs. $16,960).
• Macalester College is 27.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $14,520 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Macalester College than at Westmont College (about $14,520 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($42,766 vs. $38,956).

Westmont College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 80 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 1240/1450; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 25/32; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westmont College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Westmont College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westmont College and Macalester College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $2,453 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($22,670 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($234 vs. $259).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Westmont College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.