Macalester College vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Macalester College vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($40,225 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 24.3% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($15,760 vs. $20,810).
• Macalester College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $1,706 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Macalester College than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $1,706 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($43,290 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 100 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Macalester College vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $7,960 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($14,710 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($152 vs. $234).

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.