Colby College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colby College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby 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 Colby College than Macalester College ($16,219 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 11.9% lower than at Colby College ($15,760 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $1,496 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Colby College than at Macalester College (about $1,496 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Colby College (87% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 61.8% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($69,201 vs. $42,766).

Colby College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 80 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Colby 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: Colby College 1460/1550; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College 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 Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Colby College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $3,325 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,345 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($200 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.