Lafayette College vs Macalester College

Macalester College is the more selective of the two at 28%, versus 30% at Lafayette College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Lafayette College
Selective
30%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1410
Private · Pennsylvania
Macalester College
Selective
28%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1440
Private · Minnesota

Lafayette College vs Macalester College: the differences that matter

How Lafayette College and Macalester College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Lafayette College and Macalester College are almost equally selective (30% vs 28%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Lafayette College leans more on recommendations, while Macalester College puts more weight on talent / ability. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Lafayette College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1410 and Macalester College's is around 1440. Admitted students at Macalester College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorLafayette CollegeMacalester College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayimportantimportant
Recommendationsvery importantimportant
Extracurricular activitiesimportantimportant
Talent / abilityconsideredimportant
Character / personal qualitiesimportantimportant
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Lafayette College or Macalester College harder to get into?

Macalester College is harder to get into, with a 28% acceptance rate versus 30% at Lafayette College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Lafayette College and Macalester College?

Lafayette College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1410, and Macalester College's is around 1440.

What are my chances at Lafayette College and Macalester College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.