Oxy vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Oxy vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Macalester College than Oxy ($40,225 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 18.1% lower than at Occidental College ($15,760 vs. $19,252).
• Macalester College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $1,830 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Macalester College than at Occidental College (about $1,830 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Occidental College (87% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 17.5% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($42,766 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 20 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Oxy students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Macalester College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Oxy vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $982 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($22,670 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($234 vs. $244).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy 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.