Northwestern vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Northwestern vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern University than Macalester College ($26,830 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 25.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($15,760 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $218 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Northwestern than at Macalester College (about $218 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Northwestern University (87% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 50.7% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($64,429 vs. $42,766).

Northwestern vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 110 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Northwestern 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: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Northwestern vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $35,700 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $3,292 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,378 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($200 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.