Cornell College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA 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 Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Cornell College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell College than Macalester College ($25,220 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 24.8% lower than at Macalester College ($11,850 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $15,444 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at Macalester College than at Cornell College (about $15,444 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Cornell College students ($42,766 vs. $41,092).

Cornell College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 230 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Cornell College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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 Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)

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.