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Gustavus Adolphus College vs Macalester College

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private college in Saint Peter, MN. Macalester College is a private college in Saint Paul, MN. Macalester College admits about 29% of applicants and Gustavus Adolphus College about 61%, making Macalester College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $22,900 a year at Gustavus Adolphus College after aid, and about $32,149 at Macalester College. About 89% of students graduate at Macalester College, compared with 76% at Gustavus Adolphus College. Ten years after enrolling, Gustavus Adolphus College alumni earn a median of about $65,607, against $63,878 for Macalester College.

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Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN · Private

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Saint Peter, MN
Saint Paul, MN
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,878
2,131
Acceptance rate
61%
29%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1160–1370
1350–1510
ACT (middle 50%)
24–30
30–34
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,900
$32,149
Full cost / yr
$67,613
$82,991
In-state tuition
$56,076
$68,104
Out-of-state tuition
$56,076
$68,104
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,015
$13,772
$30k - $48k
$10,783
$11,982
$48k - $75k
$13,875
$11,098
$75k - $110k
$19,015
$20,527
Over $110k
$29,674
$44,880
Outcomes
Graduation rate
76%
89%
Freshman retention
88%
92%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$51,546
$46,244
Median earnings (10 yr)
$65,607
$63,878
Median debt at graduation
$26,774
$23,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
17%
First-generation students
15%
13%
International students
5%
15%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Jan 15

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Gustavus Adolphus College or Macalester College harder to get into?
Macalester College is harder to get into. It admits about 29% of applicants, compared with 61% at Gustavus Adolphus 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, Gustavus Adolphus College or Macalester College?
Gustavus Adolphus College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,900 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and Macalester College?
Before aid, Gustavus Adolphus College costs about $67,613 a year and Macalester College about $82,991. 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, Gustavus Adolphus College or Macalester College?
Gustavus Adolphus College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,015 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, Gustavus Adolphus College or Macalester College?
Macalester College is the larger of the two, with about 2,131 undergraduates against 1,878 at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Does Gustavus Adolphus College or Macalester College have a better graduation rate?
Macalester College has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 76% at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Do graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College or Macalester College earn more?
Gustavus Adolphus College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $65,607 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,878 for Macalester College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Gustavus Adolphus College and Macalester College require SAT or ACT scores?
Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and Macalester College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1160–1370 at Gustavus Adolphus College and 1350–1510 at Macalester College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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