Macalester College & Oberlin College
macalester_oberlin.md
Macalester College & Oberlin College
Overview
Two progressive top liberal arts colleges. Macalester is known for its exceptionally international student body and is located in the Twin Cities. Oberlin is famous for its conservatory of music and its pioneering history in racial and gender integration. Both are NCAA Division III; both are test-optional.
| Metric | Macalester | Oberlin |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 27% | 34% |
| ED rate | 41% (2-yr avg) | ~40% |
| RD rate | n/a | n/a |
| SAT middle 50 | 1390-1520 | 1390-1530 |
| ACT middle 50 | 31-34 | 31-34 |
| GPA (unweighted) | ~3.80 | 3.74 |
| Class size | 534 | 652 |
| Total applicants | 8,816 | 10,428 |
| Yield rate | 22% | 19% |
| Top 10% HS class | 53% | 61% |
| Athlete % | 23.5% | 15% |
| International % | 14.4% | 12.1% |
| Total enrollment | ~2,138 | ~2,658 |
Macalester College
- Location: Saint Paul, MN
- Conference: MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), NCAA Division III
- Acceptance rate: 27% overall (Class of 2029, 8,816 applicants, 2,396 admitted); ED 41% (2-year average); EA and RD rates not separately published
- Application rounds: ED1 (Nov 1), EA (Nov 1), ED2 (Jan 1), RD (Jan 15)
- SAT middle 50: 1390-1520; ACT 31-34; 44% of admitted students submitted test scores
- Median SAT: Math 720, EBRW 740; median ACT 32
- Yield: 22% (534 enrolled of 2,396 admitted)
- Top 10%: 53% (of 26% who reported rank)
- 19 varsity sports, 502 athletes (23.5% of student body)
- Demographics: 53.4% White, 10.6% Hispanic, 8.6% Asian, 7.7% multiracial, 4.8% Black, 14.4% international, 53% women
- Net cost: $12,933 (lowest bracket) to $40,691 (highest bracket)
- Full-tuition scholarship for admitted U.S. students with family income under $100,000
- International focus: 17% international students from 59 countries; 39 languages spoken at home; 15% first-generation
- Test-optional (considers scores if submitted)
- Politically progressive; strong in international studies, economics, political science
Sources
- Macalester Class Profile
- Macalester ED/EA page
- Mac Weekly: Class of 2029
- College Factual Demographics
- College Scorecard: Macalester
Oberlin College
- Location: Oberlin, OH
- Conference: NCAC (North Coast Athletic Conference), NCAA Division III
- Acceptance rate: 34.1% overall (Class of 2029, 10,428 A&S applicants, 3,548 admitted); ED ~40%; 37% of enrolling A&S class admitted through ED
- Application rounds: ED1 (Nov 1), ED2 (Jan 2), RD (Jan 15); no EA
- SAT middle 50: 1390-1530 (EBRW 710-760, Math 680-770); ACT 31-34; 58% submitted test scores
- GPA: 3.74 unweighted, 4.0 weighted
- Yield: 19% (652 A&S enrolled of ~3,548 admitted)
- Top 10%: 61% (of 23% who reported rank; top 5% = 44%)
- 21 varsity sports, 400+ athletes (~15% of student body)
- Demographics: 59.1% White, 8.3% Hispanic, 8.7% multiracial, 6.1% Black, 4.7% Asian, 12.1% international, 53% women
- Net cost: $9,037 (lowest bracket) to $43,258 (highest bracket)
- Conservatory of Music: Separate conservatory within the college; 161 conservatory students enroll alongside 652 A&S students; double-degree option available
- Pioneer in diversity: First college to regularly admit Black students (1835) and women (1837)
- Record 10,427 applications for Class of 2029 (7.5% increase); Houston Posse chapter launched
- Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need