Choosing the right college is a critical decision. To aid you in this process, we will compare Macalester College and St. Olaf College in various aspects. This comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed decision about which college best fits your academic and personal needs.
Macalester College Overview
Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 and is known for its strong focus on internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement. Macalester offers more than 60 areas of study, with popular majors including economics, political science, and international relations.
Macalester College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance at Macalester College for the 2021-2022 academic year is approximately $72,374. This includes tuition ($58,978), room and board ($11,646), and other fees and expenses ($1,750). Financial aid packages are available for eligible students, with over 70% of students receiving some form of aid.
Macalester College Admissions
Macalester College has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 31%. Factors considered in the admission process include academic achievement, personal qualities, and extracurricular involvement. The middle 50% of admitted students have an ACT score range of 30-34 and an SAT score range of 1370-1520.
Macalester College Degrees Offered
Macalester offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in more than 60 areas of study, including natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The college also has interdisciplinary programs that combine courses from multiple departments to create unique academic experiences.
Macalester College Academics
At Macalester, the average class size is 17 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. This allows for a more personalized and collaborative learning environment. The college emphasizes critical thinking, writing skills, and global citizenship through its liberal arts curriculum.
Macalester College Diversity
Macalester College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. Approximately 32% of the student population are domestic students of color, and 18% are international students, representing 97 countries.
Macalester College Students
Macalester College has a student population of around 2,174 undergraduate students. Students are actively engaged in various clubs, organizations, and community service initiatives, which contribute to a vibrant campus life.
Macalester College Campus
The Macalester College campus spans 53 acres in a residential neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. The campus features a mix of traditional and modern architecture, green spaces, and state-of-the-art facilities for academics, arts, and athletics.
Macalester College Alumni
Notable Macalester College alumni include Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; Tim O’Brien, author of “The Things They Carried”; and Danai Gurira, actress, and playwright known for her roles in “Black Panther” and “The Walking Dead.”
Macalester College Rankings
Macalester College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. As of 2021, Macalester is ranked #27 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
Macalester College Outcomes
The six-year graduation rate at Macalester College is 89%, and the average starting salary for recent graduates is around $58,000.
St. Olaf College Overview
St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. Founded in 1874, St. Olaf is known for its strong programs in music, natural sciences, and mathematics. The college offers more than 40 majors, with popular choices including biology, economics, and music.
St. Olaf College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance at St. Olaf College for the 2021-2022 academic year is approximately $68,270. This includes tuition ($51,740), room and board ($11,280), and other fees and expenses ($5,250). Over 95% of students receive some form of financial aid, with an average financial aid package of $35,000.
St. Olaf College Admissions
St. Olaf College has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 48%. The admissions process considers factors such as academic achievement, personal qualities, and extracurricular involvement. The middle 50% of admitted students have an ACT score range of 25-32 and an SAT score range of 1190-1420.
St. Olaf College Degrees Offered
St. Olaf College offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in more than 40 areas of study, including natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Students can also design their own interdisciplinary major or participate in pre-professional programs such as pre-med, pre-law, or pre-engineering.
St. Olaf College Academics
The average class size at St. Olaf is 19 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The college emphasizes a well-rounded liberal arts education, with requirements in writing, foreign language, and quantitative reasoning.
St. Olaf College Diversity
St. Olaf College is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community. Approximately 20% of the student population are students of color, and 10% are international students, representing 99 countries.
St. Olaf College Students
St. Olaf College has a student population of around 3,023 undergraduate students. The college offers over 200 student clubs and organizations, providing ample opportunities for students to engage in campus life.
St. Olaf College Campus
The St. Olaf College campus is situated on 300 acres in Northfield, Minnesota, offering a scenic backdrop for students to explore. The campus features a mix of historic and modern architecture, with facilities for academics, arts, and athletics.
St. Olaf College Alumni
Notable St. Olaf College alumni include James Hong, actor known for his roles in “Blade Runner” and “Big Trouble in Little China”; Gretchen Morgenson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist; and DeWitt Wallace, co-founder of Reader’s Digest.
St. Olaf College Rankings
St. Olaf College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. As of 2021, St. Olaf is ranked #56 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
St. Olaf College Outcomes
The six-year graduation rate at St. Olaf College is 87%, and the average starting salary for recent graduates is around $49,000.
Macalester College vs St. Olaf College Cost Comparison
Macalester College has a higher total cost of attendance compared to St. Olaf College, with the cost for the 2021-2022 academic year being $72,374 versus $68,270, respectively. However, both colleges offer financial aid packages to eligible students. Over 70% of Macalester students receive some form of aid, while over 95% of St. Olaf students receive aid. The average financial aid package at St. Olaf is higher, at $35,000 compared to Macalester’s average package.
Macalester College vs St. Olaf College Admissions Difficulty
Macalester College has a more competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 31% compared to St. Olaf College’s 48%. The middle 50% of admitted students at Macalester have higher average standardized test scores (ACT 30-34, SAT 1370-1520) than those at St. Olaf (ACT 25-32, SAT 1190-1420).
Macalester College vs St. Olaf College Academic Difficulty
Both colleges emphasize a rigorous liberal arts education, with small class sizes and personalized learning experiences. Macalester has a slightly lower student-to-faculty ratio (10:1) compared to St. Olaf (12:1), which may allow for more individualized attention from professors. However, the academic difficulty at both colleges will largely depend on the specific major and courses chosen by the student.
Macalester College vs St. Olaf College Outcome Comparison
Both colleges have high six-year graduation rates, with Macalester at 89% and St. Olaf at 87%. The average starting salary for Macalester graduates is higher at approximately $58,000, compared to St. Olaf graduates at around $49,000. However, it is essential to consider factors such as major, location, and individual career goals when evaluating potential outcomes.
