Macalester College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Macalester College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Macalester College ($29,981 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 13.6% lower than at Vassar College ($15,760 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $2,926 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Vassar than at Macalester College (about $2,926 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Vassar College (87% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($57,443 vs. $42,766).

Macalester College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 70 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Macalester College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $6,890 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($15,780 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($163 vs. $234).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.