Wheaton College vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Macalester College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 2,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton 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 Wheaton College than Macalester College ($31,356 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 17.4% lower than at Macalester College ($13,010 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 49.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $22,558 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.5% higher at Macalester College than at Wheaton College (about $22,558 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Macalester College (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 52.8% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($42,766 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 60 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Wheaton College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton 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).

• The graduation rate at Wheaton College is the same as at Macalester College (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $170 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($22,500 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($232 vs. $234).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Macalester College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 89%)

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.