Macalester College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Macalester College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Macalester College ($22,469 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 22.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($15,760 vs. $20,308).
• Macalester College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,610 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Macalester College than at Swarthmore College (about $2,610 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Swarthmore College (87% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 44.1% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($61,634 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 100 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Macalester College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $3,170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.