Macalester College vs. Trinity

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Trinity University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Trinity University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,687 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Trinity University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Trinity University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Trinity University 8:1.

Macalester College vs. Trinity Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Trinity? 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 Trinity University than Macalester College ($32,224 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity University are 6.4% lower than at Macalester College ($14,750 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trinity (about $14,428 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $53,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at Macalester College than at Trinity University (about $14,428 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $53,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity University than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 18.8% larger than aid received by Trinity University students ($42,766 vs. $35,990).

Macalester College vs. Trinity Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 10 points higher than at Trinity (1420).
• Incoming Macalester College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Trinity (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Trinity University 1340/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Trinity University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Trinity - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Trinity Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Trinity (3.68).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Trinity (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 20.1% at Trinity.

Macalester College vs. Trinity Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Trinity? 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 Trinity University's (80%).
• Graduates from Trinity University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $2,830 lower median loan debt than Trinity graduates ($22,670 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity graduates ($234 vs. $263).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity 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.