Macalester College vs. Wooster

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Macalester College vs. Wooster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster than Macalester College ($28,004 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Wooster are 8.1% lower than at Macalester College ($14,490 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wooster (about $6,464 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Macalester College than at The College of Wooster (about $6,464 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($47,672 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Wooster Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 90 points higher than at Wooster (1340).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wooster).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; The College of Wooster 1220/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; The College of Wooster 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Wooster - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Wooster (3.76).
• Wooster has a higher acceptance rate (59.5%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

Macalester College vs. Wooster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,330 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.