Bryn Mawr College vs Macalester College

Bryn Mawr College and Macalester College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Bryn Mawr, a women's college in Pennsylvania, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 30%, while Macalester, a coeducational college in Minnesota, maintains a slightly higher acceptance rate of 35%. In terms of academic offerings, Bryn Mawr excels in the humanities and social sciences, while Macalester shines in the natural sciences and international studies. Both colleges foster diverse student bodies, with Bryn Mawr's student population comprising 49% students of color and Macalester's student body consisting of 43% students of color. When it comes to post-graduate success, Bryn Mawr boasts a remarkable 93% graduation rate, while Macalester follows closely with an impressive 88% graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations

	Bryn Mawr College	Macalester College
Overview
Location	Bryn Mawr, 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 and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	89.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	39.3%	31.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	$40
SAT range	N/A	1340 - 1515
ACT range	N/A	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score		35.0%
Students submitting ACT score		39.0%
Total number of applicants	3,391	9,046
Total number of admissions given out	1,334	2,828
Admitted students who chose to enroll	422	601
Yield rate	31.6%	21.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$75,690	$76,357
Average net price	$34,482	$30,939
Tuition	$55,025	$60,288
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,910 Meal plan: $7,460	Room/dormitory: $7,272 Meal plan: $6,270
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	69.0% Average amount $39,058	87.0% Average amount $42,832
Students receiving federal student loan	67.0% Average amount $5,334	39.0% Average amount $4,799
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $17,905	29.0% Average amount $4,321

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,423 Men 0.0% Women 100.0%	2,244 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	355 Men 22.0% Women 78.0%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	13.1%	13.5%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,277	1,332
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Public Administration and Social Service Health Professions Social Sciences English Language and Literature Foreign Languages and Literatures	Mathematics and Statistics Foreign Languages and Literatures Multidisciplinary Studies Social Sciences Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.0%	89.7%
Dropout rate	5.7%	10.0%
Transferred out	6.2%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Social Work (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $45,043 Year 2: $48,579 Year 3: $49,145 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,035 Year 3: $44,579 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $41,196 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,644 Year 2: $19,162 Year 3: $38,634 Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,667 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 primary academic differences between Bryn Mawr College and Macalester College?

Bryn Mawr College is a women's college with a strong emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences. It offers a rigorous academic environment with a focus on critical thinking and independent research. Macalester College, a co-educational institution, also emphasizes the liberal arts but is known for its international focus and commitment to social justice. Macalester offers a broader range of programs, including pre-professional tracks, and encourages interdisciplinary studies. Bryn Mawr's academic environment is often described as more intimate and focused, while Macalester fosters a more globally-minded and diverse academic community.
How do the campus cultures of Bryn Mawr and Macalester compare?

Bryn Mawr College has a close-knit and supportive campus culture, fostered by its all-women environment and strong traditions. Students often describe a sense of empowerment and intellectual curiosity. Macalester College has a more diverse and globally-oriented campus culture, with a strong emphasis on social activism and community engagement. Both colleges are known for their welcoming environments, but their specific flavors differ. Bryn Mawr emphasizes a strong sense of sisterhood, while Macalester highlights global citizenship and social responsibility.
What are the key differences in the student body demographics?

Bryn Mawr College is an all-women's college, attracting a diverse group of women from various backgrounds. Macalester College is co-educational and has a more diverse student body in terms of race, ethnicity, and international representation. Macalester has a significant international student population, contributing to its global focus. Both colleges are known for their commitment to diversity and inclusion, but their approaches and student body compositions differ due to their institutional structures.
How does the location of each college impact the student experience?

Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. This provides students with access to the cultural and professional opportunities of a major city while maintaining a more secluded campus environment. Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, a vibrant city with a strong arts and culture scene. Students at Macalester have easy access to both Saint Paul and Minneapolis, offering a wide range of experiences, including internships, cultural events, and outdoor recreation. The location of each college shapes the types of opportunities available to students and the overall campus atmosphere.
What are the strengths of the career services at Bryn Mawr and Macalester?

Both Bryn Mawr and Macalester offer robust career services to support students in their career exploration and job searches. Bryn Mawr's career services often leverage its strong alumnae network to provide mentorship and internship opportunities, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by women. Macalester's career services emphasize global career paths and social impact careers, reflecting the college's international focus. Both colleges provide resources for resume writing, interview preparation, and networking, but their specific areas of expertise align with their institutional strengths.
How do the financial aid and tuition costs compare?

Both Bryn Mawr and Macalester are committed to providing financial aid to students. The specific financial aid packages and tuition costs can vary from year to year. It is recommended to consult the official websites of both colleges for the most up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities. Both colleges aim to make their education accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
What are the notable alumni of Bryn Mawr and Macalester?

Bryn Mawr College boasts a distinguished alumnae network, including prominent figures in academia, the arts, politics, and business. Macalester College also has a notable alumni base, including politicians, artists, and leaders in various fields. Both colleges have produced graduates who have made significant contributions to society, reflecting the quality of education and the impact of their respective communities.
Which college is better for a student interested in a specific major, such as pre-med or international relations?

While both colleges offer strong programs, the best choice depends on the student's specific interests and goals. Bryn Mawr's pre-med program is excellent, and its rigorous academics prepare students well for medical school. Macalester is particularly strong in international relations and offers a wide range of related programs and opportunities. Students should research the specific programs and faculty at each college to determine which best aligns with their academic interests.
How does the social life differ between Bryn Mawr and Macalester?

Bryn Mawr's social life is often centered around campus events, traditions, and the strong sense of community fostered by its all-women environment. Students often participate in activities organized by student clubs and organizations. Macalester's social life is more diverse, reflecting its co-educational and globally-minded student body. Students have access to a wider range of social activities, including events in the Twin Cities area. Both colleges offer opportunities for students to connect and build relationships, but the nature of these interactions differs based on the campus culture.
What are the athletic opportunities at Bryn Mawr and Macalester?

Both Bryn Mawr and Macalester offer opportunities for students to participate in athletics. Bryn Mawr is a member of NCAA Division III and offers a variety of varsity sports. Macalester is also a member of NCAA Division III and has a strong athletic program. Students can also participate in intramural sports and recreational activities at both colleges. The specific sports offered and the level of competition may vary, so prospective students should research the athletic programs that interest them.

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