Macalester College vs St Olaf College
Macalester College is a private college in Saint Paul, MN, and St Olaf College is a private college in Northfield, MN. Macalester College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 29% of applicants against 48% at St Olaf College. St Olaf College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,874 a year against $32,149 at Macalester College. About 89% of students graduate at Macalester College, compared with 84% at St Olaf College. Ten years after enrolling, St Olaf College alumni earn a median of about $65,543, 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 Macalester College or St Olaf College harder to get into?
- Macalester College is harder to get into. It admits about 29% of applicants, compared with 48% at St Olaf 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, Macalester College or St Olaf College?
- St Olaf College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,874 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 St Olaf College?
- Before aid, St Olaf College costs about $71,843 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 St Olaf College?
- St Olaf College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,404 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 St Olaf College?
- St Olaf College is the larger of the two, with about 3,093 undergraduates against 2,131 at Macalester College.
- Does Macalester College or St Olaf College have a better graduation rate?
- Macalester College has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 84% at St Olaf College.
- Do graduates of Macalester College or St Olaf College earn more?
- St Olaf College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $65,543 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,878 for Macalester College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Macalester College and St Olaf College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Macalester College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. St Olaf College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Macalester College and St Olaf College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1350–1510 at Macalester College and 1300–1470 at St Olaf College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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