Macalester College vs. Carroll University

Should I go to Macalester College or Carroll University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Macalester College or Carroll University 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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Macalester College vs. Carroll University comparison
Macalester College Carroll University College 3 College 4
Macalester College
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Overview

Macalester College Carroll University
Location Saint Paul, MN Waukesha, WI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 2,175 3,283
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #97 #534
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website macalester.edu carrollu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Macalester College Carroll University
Tuition (In State) $62,270 $35,360
Tuition (Out of State) $62,270 $35,360
Room & Board $14,000 $11,564
Avg Net Price $36,095 $25,485
Avg Grant Aid $40,262 $23,933
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

Macalester College Carroll University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,434 4,728
Admitted 2,397 3,411
Acceptance Rate 28.4% 72.1%
Enrolled % 23% 19.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.39
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Challenging
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 30/34 22/28
SAT Range 1340/1500 1060/1340
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, 2025

Academics

Macalester College Carroll University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Mathematics (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Macalester College Carroll University
Graduation Rate 87% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,100 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,670 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $234 $279

Diversity

Macalester College Carroll University
% Men 42% 32%
% Women 58% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 83%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 14% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Macalester College Carroll University
% In-State 18% 66%
% Out-of-State 69% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Carroll University is larger than than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (3,283 students vs. 2,175 students)

Macalester College vs. Carroll University Cost Comparison

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

  • Macalester College is 76.1% more expensive to attend than Carroll University for in-state tuition ($62,270.00 vs. $35,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 76.1% higher at Macalester College than Carroll University ($62,270.00 vs. $35,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carroll University than Macalester College ($25,485 vs. $36,095)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll University are 21.1% lower than costs at Macalester College ($11,564 vs. $14,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Carroll University than Macalester College (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 68.2% larger than aid received Carroll University ($40,262 vs. $23,933)

Macalester College vs. Carroll University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Macalester College (1358) is 271 points higher than at Carroll University (1087)
  • Incoming Macalester College students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Carroll University (24)
  • Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Carroll University (3.39)
  • Carroll University has a higher acceptance rate (72.1%) than Macalester College (28.4%)

Macalester College vs. Carroll University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Macalester College or Carroll University? 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 Carroll University and Macalester College.

  • The graduation rate at Macalester College is higher than Carroll University (87% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Macalester College earn on average $9,900 more per year than Carroll University graduates after ten years. ($54,100 vs. $44,200)
  • Macalester College students graduate with a $4,330 lower median federal student loan debt than Carroll University graduates. ($22,670 vs. $27,000)
  • Macalester College graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans than Carroll University graduates. ($234 vs. $279)
  • More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carroll University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)

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