Claremont McKenna vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, 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 Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Claremont McKenna vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna College than Macalester College ($33,895 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 24.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($15,760 vs. $20,830).
• Macalester College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $124 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Macalester College than at Claremont McKenna College (about $124 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Claremont McKenna College (87% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 23% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($52,605 vs. $42,766).

Claremont McKenna vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 90 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna 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: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna 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).

• Claremont McKenna College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $43,700 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $7,703 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($14,967 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($154 vs. $234).

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.