Bates vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bates College in Lewiston, ME 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 Bates based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Bates vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates 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 Bates College than Macalester College ($24,723 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 16.1% lower than at Bates College ($15,760 vs. $18,780).
• Macalester College is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $1,514 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Macalester College than at Bates College (about $1,514 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Bates College (87% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 37.5% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($58,809 vs. $42,766).

Bates vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bates 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 Bates.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 50 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Bates students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Macalester College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Bates vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates 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).

• Bates College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $8,220 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($14,450 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($149 vs. $234).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 89%)

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.