Macalester College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Macalester College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or RISD? 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 RISD ($40,225 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 5.2% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($15,760 vs. $16,626).
• Macalester College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $5,416 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Macalester College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,416 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Rhode Island School of Design (87% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($42,766 vs. $38,223).

Macalester College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 30 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at RISD (3.71).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Macalester College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Macalester College is the same as at Rhode Island School of Design (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 89%)

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.