Macalester College vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Macalester College 10:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Macalester College vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Whitman 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 Whitman College than Macalester College ($37,633 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 4.3% lower than at Macalester College ($15,080 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $4,054 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Macalester College than at Whitman College (about $4,054 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Macalester College (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($42,766 vs. $40,489).

Macalester College vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 30 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Macalester College vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester College and Whitman 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 Whitman College's (86%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $5,170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($180 vs. $234).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.