Macalester College vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Macalester College vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Macalester College ($28,719 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 10% lower than at Hamilton College ($15,760 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $856 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Hamilton College than at Macalester College (about $856 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Hamilton College (87% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($55,511 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 70 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Macalester College vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Hamilton 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $24,900 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $6,910 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($15,760 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($162 vs. $234).
• More Hamilton 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.