Amherst College vs Macalester College

Amherst College and Macalester College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Amherst, located in Massachusetts, boasts a lower acceptance rate (10.6%) compared to Macalester's (29.5%) in Minnesota. Amherst's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,851 compared to Macalester's 2,080. While both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, Amherst is known for its strengths in economics, political science, and English, while Macalester excels in international studies, environmental studies, and psychology. With graduation rates of 94% and 87% respectively, both institutions ensure that their students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional colleges and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Amherst College	Macalester College
Overview
Location	Amherst, Massachusetts	Saint Paul, Minnesota
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	8.7%	31.3%
Application fees	$60	$40
SAT range	1370 - 1550	1340 - 1515
ACT range	32 - 34	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	36.0%	35.0%
Students submitting ACT score	31.0%	39.0%
Total number of applicants	13,999	9,046
Total number of admissions given out	1,224	2,828
Admitted students who chose to enroll	515	601
Yield rate	42.1%	21.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$80,050	$76,357
Average net price	$18,809	$30,939
Tuition	$60,700	$60,288
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,700 Meal plan: $7,400	Room/dormitory: $7,272 Meal plan: $6,270
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	61.0% Average amount $58,644	87.0% Average amount $42,832
Students receiving federal student loan	10.0% Average amount $5,233	39.0% Average amount $4,799
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $16,803	29.0% Average amount $4,321

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,971 Men 48.6% Women 51.4%	2,244 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	10.4%	13.5%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,000	1,332
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Physical Science Social Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Biological and Biomedical Sciences Ethnic Studies	Mathematics and Statistics Foreign Languages and Literatures Multidisciplinary Studies Social Sciences Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	7:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	92.4%	89.7%
Dropout rate	2.5%	10.0%
Transferred out	3.6%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,775 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $94,870 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,970 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $85,992 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,271 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $84,030 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $53,743 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,419 Year 2: $48,432 Year 3: $46,160 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,744 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $36,173 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,896 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $96,310 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: N/A Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: N/A	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,163 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $72,135 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,896 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $56,193 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,635 Year 2: $35,274 Year 3: $43,620 Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,253 Year 2: $32,569 Year 3: $39,047 International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,368 Year 2: $34,526 Year 3: $36,933 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,116 Year 2: $31,133 Year 3: $34,521 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,444 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $21,508 Year 3: N/A Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,129 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: N/A Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,281 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between Amherst College and Macalester College?

Amherst College is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a quintessential New England college town. The campus is known for its beautiful, historic architecture and a strong sense of community within a rural setting. Macalester College is situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota, offering a more urban experience. Its campus is integrated into a residential neighborhood, providing easy access to the city's cultural attractions and diverse opportunities.
How do the academic programs at Amherst and Macalester compare?

Both Amherst and Macalester offer rigorous liberal arts educations. Amherst is known for its open curriculum, allowing students significant freedom in course selection from the start. Macalester also emphasizes a broad liberal arts education, with a focus on internationalism and global perspectives. Both colleges have strong humanities and social science programs, but Macalester may have a slightly stronger emphasis on international relations and global studies due to its location and mission.
What is the student body like at Amherst and Macalester?

Amherst College attracts a diverse student body, with a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity and academic achievement. The college is known for its highly selective admissions process. Macalester also boasts a diverse student body, with a particularly strong international presence. Macalester students are often drawn to the college's commitment to social justice and global engagement.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Amherst and Macalester?

Both Amherst and Macalester are committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Therefore, the sticker price may be similar, but the actual cost for students will vary based on individual financial aid packages. It's recommended to use the net price calculators on each college's website to get a personalized estimate.
What are the strengths of the faculty at Amherst and Macalester?

Both colleges have highly qualified and dedicated faculty. Amherst emphasizes close student-faculty interaction, with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Macalester also prioritizes strong faculty-student relationships and is known for its faculty's commitment to teaching and mentoring. Both institutions have faculty who are active scholars and researchers.
What are the opportunities for extracurricular activities and campus life at Amherst and Macalester?

Both colleges offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student organizations, clubs, and athletic programs. Amherst has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in Division III sports. Macalester also has a vibrant campus life, with a focus on community engagement and social justice initiatives. The urban location of Macalester provides additional opportunities for internships and community involvement.
How do the career services and alumni networks differ between Amherst and Macalester?

Both Amherst and Macalester have robust career services departments that assist students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Amherst's alumni network is extensive and well-connected, providing valuable resources for career advancement. Macalester's alumni network is also strong, with a particular emphasis on international connections and opportunities in the non-profit and public sectors.
What are the housing options like at Amherst and Macalester?

Both Amherst and Macalester offer on-campus housing for all or most students. Amherst provides a traditional residential college experience with a variety of housing options. Macalester offers a mix of traditional dorms, apartments, and themed housing options, reflecting its diverse student body and commitment to community.
Which college is better for students interested in a specific major, such as pre-med or engineering?

While both colleges offer strong pre-med advising, Amherst may be slightly better suited for students interested in a more traditional liberal arts approach to pre-med. Macalester's location in a major metropolitan area provides more opportunities for pre-med students to gain clinical experience. Neither college offers a dedicated engineering program, but students interested in engineering can pursue related coursework and often find opportunities for internships and research.
How do the campus cultures differ between Amherst and Macalester?

Amherst has a strong sense of tradition and a focus on intellectual pursuits within a close-knit community. Macalester fosters a more globally-minded and socially conscious environment, with a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Both colleges value academic excellence, but their campus cultures reflect their distinct locations and missions.

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