Macalester College vs Concordia College at Moorhead: which has better ROI?
Macalester College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $128,596 in 8.3 years versus 9.1 years at Concordia College at Moorhead, on median earnings of $63,878 vs $59,317 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Macalester College | Concordia College at Moorhead |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,149 | $24,902 |
| Total net cost | $128,596 | $99,608 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,878 | $59,317 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $26,847 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | 9.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $181,764 | $119,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Macalester College or Concordia College at Moorhead?
Concordia College at Moorhead, at $24,902 a year after aid versus $32,149 — a gap of $7,247 a year, or $28,988 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Macalester College or Concordia College at Moorhead graduates earn more?
Macalester College graduates report a median $63,878 ten years after entry, $4,561 more than the $59,317 at Concordia College at Moorhead. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Macalester College or Concordia College at Moorhead?
Macalester College: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $26,847 at Concordia College at Moorhead, a difference of $3,847. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at Macalester College, against 61% at Concordia College at Moorhead. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.