Macalester College vs. Winona State University

Should I go to Macalester College or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Macalester College or Winona State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Macalester College vs. Winona State University comparison
Macalester College Winona State University College 3 College 4
Macalester College Winona State University
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Overview

Macalester College Winona State University
Location Saint Paul, MN Winona, MN
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,175 6,154
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #97 #533
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website macalester.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Macalester College Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $62,270 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $62,270 $15,120
Room & Board $14,000 $9,654
Avg Net Price $36,095 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $40,262 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 98%

Admission

Macalester College Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,434 5,367
Admitted 2,397 3,958
Acceptance Rate 28.4% 73.7%
Enrolled % 23% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.44
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Moderate
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 30/34 19/25
SAT Range 1340/1500 1000/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Macalester College Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Mathematics (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Macalester College Winona State University
Graduation Rate 87% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,100 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,670 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $234 $248

Diversity

Macalester College Winona State University
% Men 42% 30%
% Women 58% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 87%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 14% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Macalester College Winona State University
% In-State 18% 67%
% Out-of-State 69% 31%

Campus

Macalester College Winona State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Winona State University is larger than than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 2,175 students)

Macalester College vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester College or Winona State University?

  • Macalester College is 642.4% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($62,270.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 311.8% higher at Macalester College than Winona State University ($62,270.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than Macalester College ($18,187 vs. $36,095)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 45% lower than costs at Macalester College ($9,654 vs. $14,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Macalester College (98% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 702.5% larger than aid received Winona State University ($40,262 vs. $5,017)

Macalester College vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macalester College or Winona State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Winona State University or Macalester College .

  • The average SAT score at Macalester College (1358) is 308 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming Macalester College students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Winona State University has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than Macalester College (28.4%)

Macalester College vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Macalester College or Winona State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Winona State University and Macalester College.

  • The graduation rate at Macalester College is higher than Winona State University (87% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Macalester College earn on average $8,000 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($54,100 vs. $46,100)
  • Macalester College students graduate with a $1,330 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($22,670 vs. $24,000)
  • Macalester College graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($234 vs. $248)
  • More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/