Carleton College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN 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 Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Carleton College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton 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 Carleton College than Macalester College ($28,047 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 10.4% lower than at Carleton College ($15,760 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $788 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Carleton College than at Macalester College (about $788 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Carleton College (87% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($56,846 vs. $42,766).

Carleton College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton 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 Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 80 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Carleton College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $3,170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($201 vs. $234).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.