Macalester College vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Macalester College vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Davidson? 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 Davidson College than Macalester College ($27,720 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 7.8% lower than at Davidson College ($15,760 vs. $17,100).
• Macalester College is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $3,694 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Macalester College than at Davidson College (about $3,694 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Davidson College (87% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 21% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($51,755 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 40 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Davidson (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have the same average high school GPA (3.81) as students at Davidson (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Macalester College vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Davidson? 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $5,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($17,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($175 vs. $234).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 89%)

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.