Lake Forest College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL 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 Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College than Macalester College ($31,225 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 19.4% lower than at Macalester College ($12,700 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $11,702 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Macalester College than at Lake Forest College (about $11,702 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($42,766 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 140 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Lake Forest College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 78%)

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.