Magdalen College: 98.0% Acceptance Rate

98.0%Acceptance

$23,600Tuition

58Students

53%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$35,809Earnings

#19 in New HampshirePrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsData: 2023-24Roman Catholic

About Magdalen College

Magdalen College builds its curriculum around the Great Books, requiring students to grapple with foundational texts from Plato to modern thinkers. This Catholic liberal arts institution enrolls just 58 students in rural New Hampshire, creating an intimate learning environment where classical education takes center stage. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures intensive discussion-based seminars that define the Magdalen experience. Students here don't choose majors in the traditional sense but instead follow an integrated curriculum that weaves together philosophy, literature, theology, and the sciences.

The financial picture reveals both opportunity and challenge. Students pay an average net price of $15,922 after aid, below the $35,200 sticker price. However, graduates earn a median of $35,809 ten years after graduation, raising questions about return on investment. Nearly 46% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves students from lower-income families. Federal loans are common, with 64% of students borrowing to fund their education.

The student body lacks diversity, registering 100% white enrollment. The 97% acceptance rate suggests Magdalen seeks students genuinely committed to its unique educational philosophy rather than filtering by test scores. With an 80% retention rate, most students who start here stay, though only 53% graduate within six years.

Academics & Faculty

Magdalen College builds its academics around the Great Books curriculum, where students engage directly with foundational texts from Plato to Shakespeare. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally in this intimate Catholic liberal arts environment. With just 58 students total, classes feel more like seminars than lectures. The college emphasizes classical education through integrated courses that connect philosophy, literature, theology, and history. Students graduate with a broad foundation rather than narrow specialization. The 69% four-year graduation rate reflects the rigorous academic demands, while the small size ensures struggling students receive immediate attention. This approach produces graduates skilled in critical thinking and eloquent communication rather than specific technical expertise.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 60.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 69.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 53.3%
Retention Rate: 80.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,809
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Bachelor	$23,649

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Campus Life

Warner sits tucked away in rural New Hampshire, about two hours north of Boston. With just 58 students total, everyone knows everyone on this tiny Catholic campus. The college houses up to 120 students, meaning most of the student body lives on campus in what feels more like a close-knit residential community than a traditional college.

New Hampshire winters demand serious winter coats and snow boots for navigating between classes from November through March. The 80% retention rate reflects how students either love or struggle with the intense classical curriculum built around Great Books seminars and Socratic discussions. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, there's nowhere to hide in class. Weekend social life revolves around campus events, outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains, or trips to nearby towns. The 100% white student population reflects the college's niche appeal and remote location. Students here choose Magdalen for its rigorous intellectual environment and tight community bonds, not for diversity or urban amenities. The rural-distant setting means embracing a contemplative, study-focused lifestyle.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 120 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 13°–31°F
July Avg: 56°–80°F
Annual Precipitation: 48.6"
Annual Snowfall: 68.0"

Student Demographics

Magdalen College draws serious students committed to classical Catholic education and the Great Books tradition. With 58 total students, this is truly intimate learning where everyone knows each other. The student body splits roughly between New Hampshire residents who value the college's local reputation and out-of-state students drawn to its unique curriculum. Nearly half receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's mission to make rigorous liberal arts education accessible to working-class families. Women slightly outnumber men, typical for liberal arts colleges focused on literature and philosophy rather than technical fields.

Men: 43.1%
Women: 56.9%
White: 100.0%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 45.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 45.8%

Location

Magdalen College sits in Warner, New Hampshire, about 90 miles north of Boston. The rural-distant setting means students are surrounded by New England countryside rather than bustling college towns. Warner is a small town of roughly 3,000 people nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains. The campus houses up to 120 students in this quiet corner of central New Hampshire. Students experience true small-town life with hiking trails, lakes, and forests as their backdrop. The nearest significant city is Concord, about 20 miles southeast. Students considering colleges in New Hampshire may also compare Magdalen College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Warner, New Hampshire 03278-4012

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $35,809

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Magdalen College?

Magdalen College admits 97.96% of applicants, making it highly accessible to students seeking a classical education. The college enrolls just 58 students total, creating an intimate learning environment focused on Great Books curriculum.

How much does Magdalen College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $15,922 after financial aid, less than the $35,200 total cost of attendance. About 46% of students receive financial aid, with institutional grants averaging $19,757 for those who qualify.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Magdalen College?

The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, ensuring personalized attention in this Catholic liberal arts setting. The college emphasizes classical education through discussion-based seminars centered on great works of Western civilization.

What are the graduation rates at Magdalen College?

About 69% of students graduate within four years, while 53% complete their degrees within six years. Graduates earn a median salary of $35,809 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's focus on intellectual formation over pre-professional training.

Where is Magdalen College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in rural Warner, New Hampshire, with housing capacity for 120 students in a tight-knit Catholic community. With 80% retention rate, students typically embrace the contemplative atmosphere and traditional liturgical life that defines campus culture.

Does Magdalen College have a diverse student body?

The student body is 100% white with 57% women and 43% men, reflecting the college's appeal to families seeking traditional Catholic education. About 45% of students come from in-state, drawn to the college's reputation for serious academic formation in the liberal arts.