Macalester College vs. Gettysburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Gettysburg College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,812 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Macalester College vs. Gettysburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Gettysburg 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 Gettysburg College than Macalester College ($32,769 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 2.2% lower than at Gettysburg College ($15,760 vs. $16,110).
• Macalester College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gettysburg College (about $1,464 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Macalester College than at Gettysburg College (about $1,464 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Macalester College (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gettysburg College students is 15% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($49,191 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Gettysburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 60 points higher than at Gettysburg College (1370).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Gettysburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Gettysburg College 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Gettysburg College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Gettysburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• Gettysburg College has a higher acceptance rate (38.9%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 15.6% at Gettysburg College.

Macalester College vs. Gettysburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Gettysburg 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).

• Macalester College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Gettysburg College's (85%).
• Graduates from Gettysburg College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,900 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have a $670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($227 vs. $234).
• More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.