Drake vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Drake vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake 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 Drake University than Macalester College ($29,565 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 21% lower than at Macalester College ($12,452 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $15,974 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at Macalester College than at Drake University (about $15,974 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($42,766 vs. $35,498).

Drake vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake 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 Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 200 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Drake (3.7).
• Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Drake vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake 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 Drake University's (75%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,330 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.