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St. Paul , MN
Macalester College is a private liberal arts college located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Established in 1874, the college has a rich history and is known for its commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, and social responsibility. With an enrollment of around 2,000 students, Macalester offers a diverse and inclusive community that fosters intellectual curiosity and personal growth.
At Macalester, students have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of academic programs and majors across multiple disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. The college also emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, encouraging students to make connections between different fields of knowledge. With a student-faculty ratio of just 10:1, students benefit from small class sizes and close interaction with professors.
Beyond academics, Macalester provides numerous opportunities for students to be involved in extracurricular activities, including over 100 student-led organizations and clubs. The college is committed to social justice and global citizenship, reflected in its strong emphasis on community engagement and international experiences. Macalester's location in the vibrant Twin Cities metropolitan area offers students numerous cultural, social, and internship opportunities, ensuring a well-rounded college experience. Overall, Macalester College provides a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment for students to thrive academically, personally, and socially.
Located in St. Paul, MN and set in an urban environment, Macalester College is a private four-year college. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 28%. The freshman retention rate at Macalester College is 92.28% and the six-year graduation rate is 87%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 15.
Here are some latest information on important things to consider about Macalester College.
Quick Facts
2,144
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$70,632
Tuition
87%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Discover some important facts about admission policy and requirements at Macalester College.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,558 in 2025. Macalester College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the student. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unparalleled educational experience.
Test Scores
29% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 23% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 67% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 30% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 3% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 75, 21 between 24-29 and 4 in the range between 18-23.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 708 and an average SAT Math score of 710.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Macalester College was 92.28% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 87%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Macalester College in 2025 was 2,144.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 80% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 2,144, 314 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 19 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 879 male and 1,119 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Macalester College.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 169, while the number of Afro-American students was 133. 232 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 188 identified with more than one race. The school also had 6 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 20 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Macalester College? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition in 2025 was $70,632 for full-time domestic students. As Macalester College is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $230 in 2025.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Macalester College was $16,476 per academic year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, you had to pay $8,722 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 70,632 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,476 |
| Total Expense | $ 87,108 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Macalester College.
According to the most recent data, 311 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students equaled $65,170.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
1,239 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Macalester College is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 1,248. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $2,332,889, and state $731,614. The students of Macalester College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $66,307,821, and external in the amount of $1,211,715.
$19,291
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
106 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. 44 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $12,193,674. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $787,437 USD.
Majors
Faculty
None:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
This school has recently reported to have 248 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 106 men and 142 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Macalester College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Macalester College: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Macalester College.
Its campus spans 53 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Mac Bike, followed by APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans) and Afrika. Other popular student organizations at this school are Climbing Club and Outing Club.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for media and communication? Macalester College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Macalester College provides a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Macalester College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Macalester College.
Career Counselling
At Macalester College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 57 USD.
$57
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Macalester College is located in St. Paul, MN.
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Macalester College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Macalester College is 70,632 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Macalester College is 28%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Macalester College is 92.28%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
