Macalester College vs. Marquette University

Should I go to Macalester College or Marquette University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Macalester College or Marquette University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Macalester College vs. Marquette University comparison
Macalester College Marquette University College 3 College 4
Macalester College Marquette University
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Overview

Macalester College Marquette University
Location Saint Paul, MN Milwaukee, WI
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 2,175 11,167
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #97 #216
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website macalester.edu marquette.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Macalester College Marquette University
Tuition (In State) $62,270 $45,860
Tuition (Out of State) $62,270 $45,860
Room & Board $14,000 $14,636
Avg Net Price $36,095 $33,136
Avg Grant Aid $40,262 $29,102
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

Macalester College Marquette University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,434 15,883
Admitted 2,397 13,851
Acceptance Rate 28.4% 87.2%
Enrolled % 23% 14.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.56
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 30/34 26/31
SAT Range 1340/1500 1170/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Dec 1, 2024

Academics

Macalester College Marquette University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Mathematics (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Macalester College Marquette University
Graduation Rate 87% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,100 $67,500
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,670 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $234 $279

Diversity

Macalester College Marquette University
% Men 42% 43%
% Women 58% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 73%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 14% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Macalester College Marquette University
% In-State 18% 33%
% Out-of-State 69% 65%

Campus

Macalester College Marquette University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Marquette University is larger than than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (11,167 students vs. 2,175 students)

Macalester College vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Marquette University?

  • Macalester College is 35.8% more expensive to attend than Marquette University for in-state tuition ($62,270.00 vs. $45,860.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.8% higher at Macalester College than Marquette University ($62,270.00 vs. $45,860.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marquette University than Macalester College ($33,136 vs. $36,095)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 4.5% lower than costs at Marquette University ($14,000 vs. $14,636)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marquette University than Macalester College (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 38.3% larger than aid received Marquette University ($40,262 vs. $29,102)

Macalester College vs. Marquette University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or Marquette University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Marquette University or Macalester College .

  • The average SAT score at Macalester College (1358) is 139 points higher than at Marquette University (1219)
  • Incoming Macalester College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Marquette University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Marquette University (3.56)
  • Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Macalester College (28.4%)

Macalester College vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Macalester College or Marquette University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Marquette University and Macalester College.

  • The graduation rate at Macalester College is higher than Marquette University (87% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from Marquette University earn on average $13,400 more per year than Macalester College graduates after ten years. ($67,500 vs. $54,100)
  • Macalester College students graduate with a $4,330 lower median federal student loan debt than Marquette University graduates. ($22,670 vs. $27,000)
  • Macalester College graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans than Marquette University graduates. ($234 vs. $279)
  • More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marquette University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/