Macalester College vs Lewis & Clark College
Macalester College and Lewis & Clark College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Macalester, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, boasts a higher acceptance rate (60%) compared to Lewis & Clark's (49%) in Portland, Oregon. While Macalester's student body is slightly larger, both colleges share a commitment to diversity, with international students comprising a significant portion of their respective populations. In terms of academics, Macalester excels in social sciences and humanities, while Lewis & Clark is known for its strength in natural sciences and environmental studies. With comparable graduation rates, both colleges ensure that their students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Lewis & Clark College |
![]() Macalester College |
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Overview |
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Location | Portland, Oregon | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Campus setting | City: 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 and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.5% | 31.3% |
Application fees | $50 | $40 |
SAT range | 1240 - 1420 | 1340 - 1515 |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | 29 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 35.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 39.0% |
Total number of applicants | 5,519 | 9,046 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,385 | 2,828 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 677 | 601 |
Yield rate | 15.4% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,452 | $76,357 |
Average net price | $37,155 | $30,939 |
Tuition | $56,970 | $60,288 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,870
Meal plan:
$6,104
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Room/dormitory:
$7,272
Meal plan:
$6,270
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $34,274 |
87.0%
Average amount $42,832 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
78.0%
Average amount $5,430 |
39.0%
Average amount $4,799 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $19,885 |
29.0%
Average amount $4,321 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,116
Men 36.3% Women 63.7% |
2,244
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
Graduate students |
1,383
Men 28.7% Women 71.3% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.8% | 13.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,450 | 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 |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 74.2% | 89.7% |
Dropout rate | 17.4% | 10.0% |
Transferred out | 8.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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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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