Macalester College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Macalester College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University than Macalester College ($27,161 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 22.8% lower than at Macalester College ($12,165 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawrence (about $11,122 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at Macalester College than at Lawrence University (about $11,122 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($42,766 vs. $42,688).

Macalester College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 120 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Macalester College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,680 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($234 vs. $282).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.