Macalester College vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Union College 9:1.

Macalester College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Union 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 Macalester College than Union College ($40,225 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 7.3% lower than at Union College ($15,760 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $935 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Union College than at Macalester College (about $935 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Macalester College (96% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Union College students ($42,766 vs. $42,534).

Macalester College vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 30 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Macalester College vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Union 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 Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.