Macalester College vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota State University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Macalester College vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University than Macalester College ($20,438 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 38.2% lower than at Macalester College ($9,742 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 605.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $58,450 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 433.9% higher at Macalester College than at Dakota State University (about $55,348 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at Macalester College (88% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 696.2% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($42,766 vs. $5,371).

Macalester College vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 110 points higher than at Dakota State (1320).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Macalester College vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $830 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($22,670 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($234 vs. $242).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 67%)

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.