Macalester College vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Macalester College vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College than Macalester College ($38,442 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 20.7% lower than at Lafayette College ($15,760 vs. $19,866).
• Macalester College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $2,706 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Macalester College than at Lafayette College (about $2,706 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Lafayette College (87% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($44,707 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is the same as at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Macalester College vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $26,900 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,330 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.