Michigan Tech vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan Technological University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (7,403 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan Technological University 13:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Michigan Tech vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan Tech or Macalester 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 Michigan Technological University than Macalester College ($16,879 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan Technological University are 17.2% lower than at Macalester College ($13,050 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 256.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan Tech (about $48,981 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $19,123.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.4% higher at Macalester College than at Michigan Technological University (about $25,116 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $42,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at Macalester College (99% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 114.9% larger than aid received by Michigan Technological University students ($42,766 vs. $19,898).

Michigan Tech vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 190 points higher than at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Michigan Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 1130/1350; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 25/31; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan Tech - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Michigan Tech (3.78).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Michigan Tech vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Michigan Tech vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan Tech and Macalester 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 Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,230 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($22,670 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($234 vs. $278).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan Tech students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.