Smith College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Smith College is located in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Smith College 8:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Smith College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Smith College 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 Smith College than Macalester College ($27,305 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 30.2% lower than at Smith College ($15,760 vs. $22,570).
• Macalester College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $2,926 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Macalester College than at Smith College (about $2,926 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Smith College (87% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($58,725 vs. $42,766).

Smith College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Smith College 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 Smith College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Smith College (1480) is 50 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Smith College 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: Smith College 1420/1540; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Smith College 32/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Smith College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Smith College Jan 15, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Smith College (21%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Smith College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Smith College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Smith College 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 Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $3,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($196 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.