Academic Comparison between Macalester College and Southwest Minnesota State

Macalester College and Southwest Minnesota State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Macalester College is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Saint Paul, MN and Southwest Minnesota State is a four-year, public school located in Marshall, MN.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Macalester College is a private (not-for-profit) and Southwest Minnesota State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Macalester College has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,908) than Southwest Minnesota State ($10,304).
  • It is harder to admit to Macalester College than Southwest Minnesota State.
  • Macalester College has higher submitted ACT score (32) than Southwest Minnesota State (19).
  • Southwest Minnesota State has more students with 6,930 students while Macalester College has 2,175 students.
  • Macalester College has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Southwest Minnesota State's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Macalester College has more full-time faculties with 196 faculties while Southwest Minnesota State has 104 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Macalester Collegevs.Southwest Minnesota State University
Saint Paul, MinnesotaLocationMarshall, Minnesota
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$64,9082024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$10,304
Out-Of-State$10,304
85%% Receiving Financial Aid27%
$39,942Average Amount of Financial Aid$6,831
28.00 %Acceptance Rates69.01 %
23.02 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.00 %
1,410SAT Score-
32ACT Score19
87 %Graduation Rate40 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate30 %
91 %Retention Rate67 %
2,175Student Population6,930
196Number of Faculties104
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 to 1
Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare