Carleton College vs Macalester College
Carleton College is a private college in Northfield, MN, and Macalester College is a private college in Saint Paul, MN. Carleton College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 20% of applicants against 29% at Macalester College. Carleton College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $25,407 a year against $32,149 at Macalester College. About 90% of students graduate at Carleton College, compared with 89% at Macalester College. Ten years after enrolling, Carleton College alumni earn a median of about $75,525, against $63,878 for Macalester College.
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Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Carleton College or Macalester College harder to get into?
- Carleton College is harder to get into. It admits about 20% of applicants, compared with 29% at Macalester College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Carleton College or Macalester College?
- Carleton College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $25,407 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $32,149 at Macalester College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Carleton College and Macalester College?
- Before aid, Macalester College costs about $82,991 a year and Carleton College about $84,893. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Carleton College or Macalester College?
- Carleton College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,881 there, against about $13,772 at Macalester College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Carleton College or Macalester College?
- Macalester College is the larger of the two, with about 2,131 undergraduates against 2,086 at Carleton College.
- Does Carleton College or Macalester College have a better graduation rate?
- Carleton College has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 89% at Macalester College.
- Do graduates of Carleton College or Macalester College earn more?
- Carleton College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $75,525 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,878 for Macalester College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Carleton College and Macalester College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Carleton College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Macalester College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Carleton College and Macalester College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1450–1560 at Carleton College and 1350–1510 at Macalester College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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