Wellesley vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Wellesley vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Macalester College ($22,174 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 25% lower than at Wellesley College ($15,760 vs. $21,024).
• Macalester College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $928 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Macalester College than at Wellesley College (about $928 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Wellesley College (87% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 49.9% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($64,116 vs. $42,766).

Wellesley vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 80 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Wellesley vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $13,770 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($8,900 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($92 vs. $234).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.