Macalester College vs North Central University
Macalester College and North Central University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Macalester, a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on global education, with over 50% of its students studying abroad. North Central, a private Christian university in Minneapolis, Minnesota, emphasizes faith-based learning and community engagement, with a significant portion of its students involved in service-learning programs. While both institutions offer a range of academic programs, Macalester is known for its strengths in the humanities and social sciences, while North Central excels in business, education, and nursing. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, Macalester and North Central cater to distinct student populations and aspirations. Explore the comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Macalester College |
![]() North Central University |
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Overview |
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Location | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Minneapolis, 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 | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 76.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 31.3% | 94.0% |
Application fees | $40 | $25 |
SAT range | 1340 - 1515 | N/A |
ACT range | 29 - 33 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 39.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,046 | 553 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,828 | 520 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 601 | 188 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 36.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not 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 | $40,855 |
Average net price | $30,939 | $24,232 |
Tuition | $60,288 | $26,350 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,272
Meal plan:
$6,270
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Room/dormitory:
$4,740
Meal plan:
$3,940
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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 |
97.0%
Average amount $15,128 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
39.0%
Average amount $4,799 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,021 |
Students taking out private loans |
29.0%
Average amount $4,321 |
11.0%
Average amount $13,650 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,244
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
950
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
Graduate students | N/A |
84
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 13.5% | 1.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,332 | 913 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
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 | 10:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.7% | 59.1% |
Dropout rate | 10.0% | 39.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
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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Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Bachelor's Degrees)
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious/Sacred Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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