The University of the South vs Macalester College
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Tennessee and Minnesota, The University of the South and Macalester College stand as two distinct beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and fostering a diverse and inclusive community, they offer unique experiences that cater to different student aspirations. With acceptance rates of 68% and 33%, respectively, these colleges attract students with varying academic backgrounds and interests. The University of the South's popular majors in Business, Social Sciences, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences contrast with Macalester's strengths in Social Sciences, Humanities, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Macalester College |
![]() The University of the South |
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Overview |
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Location | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Sewanee, Tennessee |
Campus setting | City: Large | Rural: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 90.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 31.3% | 60.3% |
Application fees | $40 | |
SAT range | 1340 - 1515 | 1200 - 1390 |
ACT range | 29 - 33 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 39.0% | 49.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,046 | 4,162 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,828 | 2,508 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 601 | 474 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 18.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $76,357 | $66,480 |
Average net price | $30,939 | $29,626 |
Tuition | $60,288 | $49,146 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,272
Meal plan:
$6,270
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Room/dormitory:
$7,314
Meal plan:
$6,798
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
87.0%
Average amount $42,832 |
95.0%
Average amount $35,383 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
39.0%
Average amount $4,799 |
74.0%
Average amount $5,329 |
Students taking out private loans |
29.0%
Average amount $4,321 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,244
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
1,735
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students | N/A |
85
Men 58.8% Women 41.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 77.6% |
International students | 13.5% | 3.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,332 | 1,800 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Tennessee Georgia North Carolina Texas Alabama |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.7% | 80.2% |
Dropout rate | 10.0% | 1.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | 17.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Theological and Ministerial Studies (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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