Macalester College vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Macalester College vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or F&M? 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 Macalester College than F&M ($40,225 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 2.6% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($15,760 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $2,690 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at F&M than at Macalester College (about $2,690 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Franklin and Marshall College (87% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 2.1% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($42,766 vs. $41,901).

Macalester College vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or F&M? 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 F&M and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 40 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Macalester College vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($227 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.