BC vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BC vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC 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 Boston College than Macalester College ($32,519 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 16.7% lower than at Boston College ($15,760 vs. $18,916).
• Boston College is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $2,598 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at BC than at Macalester College (about $2,598 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Boston College (87% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($56,971 vs. $42,766).

BC vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC 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 BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 60 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming BC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

BC vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC 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).

• Boston College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $36,800 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $3,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($196 vs. $234).
• More BC 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.