Centre College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Centre College in Danville, KY 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 Centre College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Centre College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centre 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 Centre College than Macalester College ($23,860 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centre College are 7.1% lower than at Macalester College ($14,640 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 28.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centre College (about $15,284 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.9% higher at Macalester College than at Centre College (about $15,284 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centre College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centre College students is 2.9% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($44,015 vs. $42,766).

Centre College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 120 points higher than at Centre College (1310).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Centre College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 1160/1450; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 25/32; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centre College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centre College Jan 15, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Centre College (3.62).
• Centre College has a higher acceptance rate (54.4%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Centre College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Centre College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centre 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 Centre College's (82%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Centre College graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centre College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.