Hamline University vs. Macalester College

Should I go to Hamline University or Macalester College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Hamline University or Macalester College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Hamline University vs. Macalester College comparison
Hamline University Macalester College College 3 College 4
Hamline University Macalester College
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Overview

Hamline University Macalester College
Location Saint Paul, MN Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 2,432 2,142
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #319 #104
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hamline.edu macalester.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Hamline University Macalester College
Tuition (In State) $47,134 $64,678
Tuition (Out of State) $47,134 $64,678
Room & Board $12,030 $15,477
Avg Net Price $22,759 $38,571
Avg Grant Aid $33,981 $40,329
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 88%

Admission

Hamline University Macalester College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,185 8,099
Admitted 2,861 2,285
Acceptance Rate 89.8% 28.2%
Enrolled % 13.8% 22.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.81
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 20/28 30/33
SAT Range 1146/1393 1350/1510
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Hamline University Macalester College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Legal Professions (6%)
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Mathematics (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Hamline University Macalester College
Graduation Rate 68% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $55,100 $54,100
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $22,670
Median Loan Payment $250 $234

Diversity

Hamline University Macalester College
% Men 9% 0%
% Women 21% 0%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 66%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 5%
% International 1% 14%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Hamline University Macalester College
% In-State 82% 18%
% Out-of-State 17% 69%

Campus

Hamline University Macalester College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Hamline University is larger than than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,432 students vs. 2,142 students)

Hamline University vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamline University or Macalester College?

  • Macalester College is 37.2% more expensive to attend than Hamline University for in-state tuition ($64,678.00 vs. $47,134.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.2% higher at Macalester College than Hamline University ($64,678.00 vs. $47,134.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hamline University than Macalester College ($22,759 vs. $38,571)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamline University are 28.7% lower than costs at Macalester College ($12,030 vs. $15,477)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hamline University than Macalester College (100% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 18.7% larger than aid received Hamline University ($40,329 vs. $33,981)

Hamline University vs. Macalester College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamline University or Macalester College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Macalester College or Hamline University .

  • The average SAT score at Macalester College (1358) is 231 points higher than at Hamline University (1127)
  • Incoming Macalester College students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Hamline University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Hamline University (3.48)
  • Hamline University has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Macalester College (28.2%)

Hamline University vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Hamline University or Macalester College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Macalester College and Hamline University.

  • The graduation rate at Macalester College is higher than Hamline University (87% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Hamline University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Macalester College graduates after ten years. ($55,100 vs. $54,100)
  • Macalester College students graduate with a $1,580 lower median federal student loan debt than Hamline University graduates. ($22,670 vs. $24,250)
  • Macalester College graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Hamline University graduates. ($234 vs. $250)
  • More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamline University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/