Macalester College
Private nonprofit four-year college in Saint Paul, MN that costs an average of $27,851 a year after financial aid, admits 29% of applicants and graduates 91% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitLarge city2,131 undergraduates
Cost of Macalester College
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $86,134 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $70,862 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $16,966 |
| Books and supplies | $0 |
| Average net price after aid | $27,851 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $15,715 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $4,569 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $15,825 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $28,539 |
| $110,001+ | $43,770 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Macalester College's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 29% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,440 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 680–750 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 670–760 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 30–34 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 91% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 92% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $52,752 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $69,951 |
| Rank in Minnesota (earnings) | 7th of 38 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $21,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $244 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 17% |
| Students with federal loans | 33% |
Majors and programs at Macalester College
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (38)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 123 | $88,260 | $14,500 |
| Economics | 118 | $70,570 | $22,501 |
| Mathematics | 103 | $61,957 | $23,250 |
| Political Science and Government | 84 | $49,958 | $21,000 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 71 | $47,704 | $21,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | — | $47,065 | — |
| Biology | 98 | $38,645 | $18,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 61 | $37,802 | $18,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 65 | $32,705 | $17,875 |
| Chemistry | 19 | $32,245 | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 93 | $24,786 | $22,531 |
| Anthropology | 20 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 18 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 15 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 16 | — | — |
| Computational Science | 9 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 14 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 19 | — | — |
| Education | 22 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 25 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 28 | — | $19,500 |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 47 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 19 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 11 | — | — |
| History | 32 | — | — |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | 22 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 20 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 3 | — | — |
| Music | 20 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 24 | — | — |
| Physics | 32 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 13 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 9 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 34 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 25 | — | — |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 5 | — | — |
| Sociology | 30 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Minnesota
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton College | Northfield | $25,295 | 20% | $82,742 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter | $24,148 | 61% | $67,649 |
| Bethel University | Saint Paul | $30,995 | 88% | $69,827 |
| St Catherine University | Saint Paul | $19,090 | 92% | $64,729 |
| Concordia College at Moorhead | Moorhead | $22,280 | 63% | $62,622 |
| Augsburg University | Minneapolis | $23,390 | 82% | $63,332 |
| Hamline University | Saint Paul | $22,756 | 88% | $64,996 |
| The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth | $26,830 | 93% | $72,044 |
About Macalester College
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Saint Paul, MN |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 2,131 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 10 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | macalester.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Macalester College's acceptance rate?
Macalester College admits 29% of applicants, making it selective. Admitted students average 1,440 on the SAT.
How much does Macalester College cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $86,134 a year (tuition and fees: $70,862). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $27,851 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $15,715.
How much do Macalester College graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $69,951 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 7th of 38 similar colleges in Minnesota. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer and information sciences ($88,260 a year after graduation).
What is Macalester College's graduation rate?
91% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 92% of first-year students return for a second year.