Emory vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emory University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emory vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory 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 Emory University than Macalester College ($27,303 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 22.1% lower than at Emory University ($15,760 vs. $20,220).
• Macalester College is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emory (about $3,824 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Macalester College than at Emory University (about $3,824 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Emory University (87% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emory University students is 31.7% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($56,319 vs. $42,766).

Emory vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emory 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 Emory.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emory University (1510) is 80 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Emory 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: Emory University 1470/1550; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Emory (3.8).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Emory (10.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Emory vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory 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).

• Emory University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Emory University earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,500 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $5,437 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($17,233 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($178 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.