MHC vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Macalester College 10:1.

MHC vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College than Macalester College ($32,526 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 19.9% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($15,760 vs. $19,684).
• Macalester College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $1,086 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Macalester College than at Mount Holyoke College (about $1,086 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Mount Holyoke College (87% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 22.6% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($52,418 vs. $42,766).

MHC vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 30 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming MHC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

MHC vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $1,464 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($21,206 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($219 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 77%)

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.