Haverford College vs Macalester College

Haverford College and Macalester College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Haverford, located in Pennsylvania, boasts a lower acceptance rate (13%) and a smaller student body (1,300 undergraduates) compared to Macalester's 18% acceptance rate and 2,000 undergraduates in Minnesota. While Haverford's student body is predominantly White (53%) and Asian (26%), Macalester's student body is more diverse, with 48% White, 15% Asian, 11% Hispanic, and 10% Black students. Both colleges offer a wide range of majors, with popular choices at Haverford including Economics, Political Science, and English, while Macalester students often major in Economics, Biology, and Psychology. With graduation rates of 94% for Haverford and 88% for Macalester, both institutions ensure that their students are

	Haverford College	Macalester College
Overview
Location	Haverford, Pennsylvania	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	94.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	17.8%	31.3%
Application fees	$65	$40
SAT range	1420 - 1540	1340 - 1515
ACT range	33 - 35	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	38.0%	35.0%
Students submitting ACT score	21.0%	39.0%
Total number of applicants	5,332	9,046
Total number of admissions given out	951	2,828
Admitted students who chose to enroll	411	601
Yield rate	43.2%	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)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$81,570	$76,357
Average net price	$24,462	$30,939
Tuition	$60,442	$60,288
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,320 Meal plan: $6,980	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)	45.0% Average amount $53,518	87.0% Average amount $42,832
Students receiving federal student loan	15.0% Average amount $4,885	39.0% Average amount $4,799
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $26,584	29.0% Average amount $4,321

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,420 Men 46.3% Women 53.7%	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	10.6%	13.5%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,424	1,332
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Physical Science Computer and Information Science Foreign Languages and Literatures Mathematics and Statistics	Mathematics and Statistics Foreign Languages and Literatures Multidisciplinary Studies Social Sciences Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.1%	89.7%
Dropout rate	2.9%	10.0%
Transferred out	6.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,410 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,952 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,876 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,162 Year 2: N/A 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 academic differences between Haverford College and Macalester College?

Haverford College is known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate research and its honor code, which fosters a close-knit and self-governing academic environment. It offers a more intimate learning experience with a smaller student body. Macalester College, while also strong academically, provides a broader range of programs and a more international focus, attracting a diverse student body with a global perspective. Macalester also has a stronger emphasis on social justice and civic engagement.
How do the campus cultures of Haverford and Macalester compare?

Haverford's culture is often described as intellectual, collaborative, and community-oriented, heavily influenced by its honor code. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and engage in respectful discourse. Macalester's culture is known for its progressive values, social activism, and international focus. It fosters a welcoming environment for students from diverse backgrounds and encourages engagement with global issues.
What are the typical class sizes at Haverford and Macalester?

Both Haverford and Macalester offer small class sizes, which is a hallmark of a liberal arts education. Haverford generally has slightly smaller class sizes due to its smaller overall student population, allowing for more individualized attention from professors. Macalester also maintains small class sizes, ensuring students have ample opportunities for interaction with faculty and peers.
How do the locations of Haverford and Macalester impact the student experience?

Haverford is located in a suburban setting just outside of Philadelphia, providing easy access to the city's cultural attractions, job opportunities, and transportation. Macalester is situated in the vibrant city of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offering a rich cultural scene, access to internships, and a strong sense of community within the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Both locations provide opportunities for internships, research, and cultural exploration, but the specific experiences will differ based on the city's unique offerings.
What are the strengths of the faculty at Haverford and Macalester?

Both colleges boast highly qualified and dedicated faculty. Haverford's faculty are known for their commitment to undergraduate teaching and research, often involving students in their projects. Macalester's faculty are recognized for their expertise in their fields and their commitment to fostering a global perspective and social justice. Both institutions prioritize faculty accessibility and mentorship.
How do the financial aid packages compare at Haverford and Macalester?

Both Haverford and Macalester are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. They both offer generous financial aid packages, including grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. The specific details of financial aid packages may vary depending on individual circumstances, so it's recommended to compare the offers you receive from each institution.
What are the most popular majors at Haverford and Macalester?

At Haverford, popular majors include Biology, Political Science, Economics, and English. Macalester's popular majors include Economics, Political Science, International Studies, and Biology. Both colleges offer a wide range of majors across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, allowing students to pursue their academic interests.
How do the career services departments at Haverford and Macalester support students?

Both colleges provide robust career services to help students with internships, job searches, and graduate school applications. Haverford's career services often leverage the college's strong alumni network to provide opportunities. Macalester's career services emphasize global career paths and social impact careers, reflecting the college's international focus. Both offer resume workshops, interview preparation, and career counseling.
What are the housing options like at Haverford and Macalester?

Both Haverford and Macalester offer on-campus housing for all four years. Haverford provides a variety of housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and apartments. Macalester offers a range of housing options, including traditional residence halls, co-ops, and themed housing. Both colleges foster a strong sense of community within their residential environments.
How do the extracurricular activities and student life differ at Haverford and Macalester?

Haverford's extracurricular activities are often shaped by its honor code, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. Students are actively involved in clubs, organizations, and campus governance. Macalester offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, reflecting its diverse student body and interests, including a strong emphasis on social justice and activism. Both colleges provide opportunities for students to engage in athletics, arts, and community service.

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