Macalester College vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Bard College 9:1.

Macalester College vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Bard 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 Bard College than Macalester College ($29,320 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 16.4% lower than at Bard College ($15,760 vs. $18,852).
• Macalester College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $1,668 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Macalester College than at Bard College (about $1,668 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Bard College (87% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($55,235 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or Bard 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 Bard College and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 70 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Macalester College vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Bard 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 Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,524 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($234 vs. $270).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.