Macalester College vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Macalester College vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Reed? 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 Reed College than Macalester College ($30,953 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 10.8% lower than at Reed College ($15,760 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $1,246 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Reed than at Macalester College (about $1,246 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Reed College (87% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 29.6% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($55,445 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 20 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Reed (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Macalester College vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Reed? 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 Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $6,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($165 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.