Macalester College vs Southwest Minnesota State University
Macalester College is a private college in Saint Paul, MN, and Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university in Marshall, MN. Macalester College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 29% of applicants against 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Southwest Minnesota State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,291 a year against $32,149 at Macalester College. About 89% of students graduate at Macalester College, compared with 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Ten years after enrolling, Macalester College alumni earn a median of about $63,878, against $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University.
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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 Macalester College or Southwest Minnesota State University harder to get into?
- Macalester College is harder to get into. It admits about 29% of applicants, compared with 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Macalester College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,291 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 Macalester College and Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Before aid, Southwest Minnesota State University costs about $24,757 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, Macalester College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Southwest Minnesota State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,559 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, Macalester College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is the larger of the two, with about 2,315 undergraduates against 2,131 at Macalester College.
- Does Macalester College or Southwest Minnesota State University have a better graduation rate?
- Macalester College has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University.
- Do graduates of Macalester College or Southwest Minnesota State University earn more?
- Macalester College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,878 ten years after enrolling, against about $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Macalester College and Southwest Minnesota State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Macalester College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southwest Minnesota State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Macalester College and Southwest Minnesota State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1350–1510 at Macalester College and 935–1102 at Southwest Minnesota State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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