Macalester College vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Macalester College vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College than Macalester College ($33,221 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 18.8% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($15,760 vs. $19,400).
• Macalester College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $2,184 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Macalester College than at Bryn Mawr College (about $2,184 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Bryn Mawr College (87% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryn Mawr College students is 17% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($50,029 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 30 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bryn Mawr students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Macalester College vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Bryn Mawr? 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).

• The graduation rate at Macalester College is the same as at Bryn Mawr College (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Bryn Mawr College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,500 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 Bryn Mawr graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.