Macalester College vs. Rhodes College

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Rhodes College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Macalester College vs. Rhodes College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Rhodes College? 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 Rhodes College than Macalester College ($31,037 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhodes College are 13.6% lower than at Macalester College ($13,620 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 19.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rhodes College (about $10,994 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $57,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Macalester College than at Rhodes College (about $10,994 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $57,110.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhodes College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Rhodes College students ($42,766 vs. $40,180).

Macalester College vs. Rhodes College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 40 points higher than at Rhodes College (1390).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Rhodes College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Rhodes College 1300/1486.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Rhodes College 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Rhodes College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Rhodes College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rhodes College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Rhodes College has a higher acceptance rate (50.4%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 12.1% at Rhodes College.

Macalester College vs. Rhodes College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Rhodes College? 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 Rhodes College's (75%).
• Graduates from Rhodes College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,400 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,547 lower median loan debt than Rhodes College graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,217).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rhodes College graduates ($234 vs. $271).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rhodes College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.