Macalester College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Macalester College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Oberlin? 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 Macalester College than Oberlin ($40,225 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 19.2% lower than at Oberlin College ($15,760 vs. $19,510).
• Macalester College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $738 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Macalester College than at Oberlin College (about $738 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Macalester College (99% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($42,766 vs. $35,780).

Macalester College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 10 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Oberlin (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Macalester College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Oberlin? 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,909 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($234 vs. $274).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

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.