Macalester College vs. St. John's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than St. John's College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); St. John's College is in Santa Fe, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; St. John's College 8:1.

Macalester College vs. St. John's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or St. John's 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 St. John's College than Macalester College ($25,209 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 2% lower than at St. John's College ($15,760 vs. $16,088).
• Macalester College is 68.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. John's College (about $27,600 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $40,504.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.1% higher at Macalester College than at St. John's College (about $27,600 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $40,504.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John's College than at Macalester College (93% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 39.6% larger than aid received by St. John's College students ($42,766 vs. $30,644).

Macalester College vs. St. John's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or St. John's 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 St. John's College and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 50 points higher than at St. John's College (1380).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at St. John's College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; St. John's College 1290/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; St. John's College 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; St. John's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at St. John's College (3.74).
• St. John's College has a higher acceptance rate (53.1%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 37% at St. John's College.

Macalester College vs. St. John's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and St. John's 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 St. John's College's (53%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than St. John's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than St. John's College graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. John's College graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. John's College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 72%)

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.