Macalester College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

Macalester College Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Saint Paul, MN Mitchell, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 2,175 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #97
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website macalester.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Macalester College Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $62,270 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $62,270 $30,700
Room & Board $14,000 $7,450
Avg Net Price $36,095 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $40,262 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

Macalester College Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,434 1,209
Admitted 2,397 904
Acceptance Rate 28.4% 74.8%
Enrolled % 23% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.36
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Average
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 30/34 18/24
SAT Range 1340/1500 950/1420
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 Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Macalester College Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Mathematics (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Macalester College Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 87% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,100 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,670 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $234 $274

Diversity

Macalester College Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 42% 46%
% Women 58% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 14% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Macalester College Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 18% 61%
% Out-of-State 69% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Macalester College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,175 students vs. 887 students)

Macalester College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Macalester College is 102.8% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($62,270.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 102.8% higher at Macalester College than Dakota Wesleyan University ($62,270.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Macalester College ($19,825 vs. $36,095)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 87.9% lower than costs at Macalester College ($7,450 vs. $14,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Macalester College (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 90.8% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($40,262 vs. $21,097)

Macalester College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Macalester College (1358) is 376 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Macalester College students have a 10 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than Macalester College (28.4%)

Macalester College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Macalester College or Dakota Wesleyan 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 Dakota Wesleyan University and Macalester College.

  • The graduation rate at Macalester College is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (87% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Macalester College earn on average $15,900 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($54,100 vs. $38,200)
  • Macalester College students graduate with a $3,863 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($22,670 vs. $26,533)
  • Macalester College graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($234 vs. $274)
  • More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 71%)

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