Macalester College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

Macalester College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth than Macalester College ($20,128 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 29.5% lower than at Macalester College ($11,110 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 366.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Duluth (about $53,494 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $14,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 238.3% higher at Macalester College than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $47,974 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at Macalester College (95% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 495.1% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($42,766 vs. $7,186).

Macalester College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 160 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Duluth (1270).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Duluth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Macalester College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $600 more per year than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $2,330 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($22,670 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Duluth 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.