Academic Comparison between Southwest Minnesota State and Macalester

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

  • Southwest Minnesota State is a public and Macalester is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Macalester has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,104) than Southwest Minnesota State ($10,361).
  • It is harder to admit to Macalester than Southwest Minnesota State.
  • Macalester has higher submitted ACT score (20) than Southwest Minnesota State (20).
  • Southwest Minnesota State has more students with 8,214 students while Macalester has 2,138 students.
  • Macalester has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Southwest Minnesota State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Macalester has more full-time faculties with 200 faculties while Southwest Minnesota State has 104 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Southwest Minnesota State Macalester
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Southwest Minnesota State Universityvs.Macalester College
Marshall, MinnesotaLocationSaint Paul, Minnesota
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$10,361
Out-Of-State$10,361
2025 Tuition & Fees$68,104
24%% Receiving Financial Aid88%
$7,386Average Amount of Financial Aid$42,615
62.18 %Acceptance Rates28.52 %
22.20 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.89 %
-SAT Score1,440
20ACT Score32
45 %Graduation Rate87 %
36 %Transfer-out Rate8 %
74 %Retention Rate92 %
8,214Student Population2,138
104Number of Faculties200
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services