Trinity College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Trinity College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Trinity College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity 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 Trinity College than Macalester College ($36,071 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 16.6% lower than at Trinity College ($15,760 vs. $18,890).
• Trinity College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macalester College (about $2,666 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Trinity College than at Macalester College (about $2,666 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $68,104.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Trinity College (87% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity College students is 21% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($51,754 vs. $42,766).

Trinity College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 50 points higher than at Trinity College (1380).
• Incoming Trinity College 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: Trinity College 1298/1470; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Trinity College (3.8).
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (29.2%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Trinity College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity 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 Trinity College's (86%).
• Graduates from Trinity College earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,500 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $1,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($21,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($217 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.