Macalester College vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

Macalester College vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or MSU Moorhead? 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 Minnesota State University Moorhead than Macalester College ($18,221 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 30.2% lower than at Macalester College ($10,994 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 553.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $57,676 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 553.1% higher at Macalester College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $57,676 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at Macalester College (91% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 563.5% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($42,766 vs. $6,446).

Macalester College vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 240 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• MSU Moorhead has a higher acceptance rate (58.8%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

Macalester College vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and MSU Moorhead? 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 Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $394 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($22,276 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($230 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 65%)

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.