Macalester College vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Thomas is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (9,410 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 St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Macalester College vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas than Macalester College ($31,250 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 5% lower than at Macalester College ($14,969 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 25.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Thomas (about $13,706 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Macalester College than at University of St Thomas (about $13,706 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at Macalester College (95% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 20.2% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($42,766 vs. $35,587).

Macalester College vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas and Macalester College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 90 points higher than at University of St Thomas (1340).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Macalester College vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's (74%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,330 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.