Macalester College vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Macalester College vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or St Olaf? 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 Olaf College than Macalester College ($26,756 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 13.5% lower than at Macalester College ($13,630 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $8,344 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at Macalester College than at St Olaf College (about $8,344 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 5.5% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($45,098 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 40 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Macalester College vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and St Olaf? 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 Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $400 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.