Macalester College vs. Skidmore College

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Skidmore College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Skidmore College is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Skidmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Skidmore College 8:1.

Macalester College vs. Skidmore College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Skidmore 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 Skidmore College than Macalester College ($31,187 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 12.2% lower than at Skidmore College ($15,760 vs. $17,940).
• Macalester College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Skidmore College (about $814 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Macalester College than at Skidmore College (about $814 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Skidmore College (87% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Skidmore College students is 26.5% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($54,083 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Skidmore College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 20 points higher than at Skidmore College (1410).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Skidmore College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Skidmore College 1340/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Skidmore College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Skidmore College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Skidmore College (3.75).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Skidmore College (21.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 26.6% at Skidmore College.

Macalester College vs. Skidmore College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Skidmore 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 Skidmore College's (84%).
• Graduates from Skidmore College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have a $3,170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($201 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Skidmore College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.