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Macalester College

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN · City · 2,131 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · macalester.edu
$32,149
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
89%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$63,878
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
29%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Located in the vibrant Twin Cities metropolitan area, Macalester College is a nationally recognized liberal arts institution celebrated for its deep commitment to internationalism, social justice, and civic engagement. The college offers rigorous academics with standout programs in international studies, economics, political science, and the natural sciences, all supported by extensive undergraduate research opportunities. Macalester's campus culture is collaborative, globally minded, and politically active, bolstered by an exceptionally diverse student body representing dozens of countries. A key differentiator is its rare urban liberal arts setting, which provides students with immediate access to Fortune 500 internships, thriving cultural arts, and grassroots community organizations right outside their dorms.

Wikipedia:Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1874, Macalester is exclusively an undergraduate institution with an enrollment of 2,068 students in the fall of 2025. The college has Scottish and Presbyterian roots and emphasizes internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society.

Location
Saint Paul, MN, 55105-1899 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MSP · Minneapolis
5 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$68,104
Housing & food (on campus)$15,760
Cost of attendance$92,154
Average net price$32,149
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$68,104
Housing & food (on campus)$15,760
Cost of attendance$92,154
Average net price$32,149
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.macalester.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Macalester College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$74,394
Fees$230
Housing$9,268
Food$8,162
Total published by the school$92,154
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$13,772
$30–48k
$11,982
$48–75k
$11,098
$75–110k
$20,527
$110k+
$44,880
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
89%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
74%
Back for yr 2
92%
Transferred
6%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
89% graduated · 8% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$46,244
10 yrs after entry$63,878
Debt
Median at graduation$23,000
Monthly payment$244
Middle 50% owe$12k–$27k
90th percentile$30,372
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
29%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1440
R 680–750 · M 670–760
ACT midpoint
31
Comp 30–34 · E 30–35 · M 27–32
SAT middle 50%: 1350–1510
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 1 2027
binding in 91 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 15 2027
in 105 days · is a non-restrictive option…
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · macalester.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
From Macalester College (macalester.edu) · 2026–27 application · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Macalester is one of the few highly selective liberal arts colleges located in the heart of a metropolitan area. Identify one way Macalester's location in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul would enhance your academic, social, or community experience.
    Optional
  • Four values guide Macalester's mission: academic distinction, internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society. Guided by these values, Macalester is a learning environment that affirms different identities and experiences and prepares graduates to work toward a more just and peaceful world. In what ways do your lived experiences, perspectives, or hopes for your college education connect with Macalester's mission and community?
    Optional

Quoted from Macalester College's own page; answered in the Common App. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
17%
First-gen
13%
Family income
$88,991
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
50%
Hispanic
11%
Black
6%
Asian
8%
Two or more
9%
Non-resident
15%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$46,244
After 10 yrs
$63,878
Computer and Information Sciences, General72
Mathematics63
Economics61
Biology, General49
Political Science and Government43
Research and Experimental Psychology41
Neurobiology and Neurosciences35
Natural Resources Conservation and Research31
International/Globalization Studies28
Geography and Environmental Studies21
Physics21
Communication and Media Studies16
Philosophy16
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies15
Sociology14
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences13
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$882M
Full-time faculty
84%
Faculty salary
$11,951/mo
Teaching spend
$25,033
per student
Federal loans
36%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Macalester College is the right fit for you?

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