Colorado College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO 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 Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado 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 Colorado College than Macalester College ($36,123 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 1.6% lower than at Colorado College ($15,760 vs. $16,020).
• Colorado College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $2,630 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Colorado College than at Macalester College (about $2,630 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Colorado College (87% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($50,834 vs. $42,766).

Colorado College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 80 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Colorado College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Colorado College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado 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).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $2,170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($211 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado 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.