About

About Macalester College

liberal arts collegeglobal citizenship focussmall class sizesselective admissions

Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, MN, known for its liberal arts college, global citizenship focus, and small class sizes. With an acceptance rate of 28%, Macalester College is selective, typically enrolling around 552 students each year. Macalester College is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1350–1480, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Macalester College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; the average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $13,772.

Admissions

Macalester College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

selective

28%
Overall Accept Rate
1415
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1350 – 1480 (test optional)

Build your free list to see where your scores land →

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Macalester College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Macalester has a genuine commitment to internationalism as a core institutional value, so connect your essays to global awareness, cross-cultural experience, or how you engage with the world beyond your own community. Admissions readers are looking for students who already think globally, not just those who plan to someday.
Essay Strategy
In your Macalester supplemental, name specific professors, courses, research centers, or student organizations like the International Roundtable or specific departments in the humanities or sciences that align with your interests. Vague statements about loving diversity or a great campus will not stand out at a school where 28% of applicants are admitted.

Get a tailored strategy for Macalester College. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

Build My Free List →

Financial Aid & Cost

What Macalester College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Meets 100% of demonstrated need: Macalester College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Macalester College's sticker price of ~$76k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$76k/yr$13.8k
30k-48k~$76k/yr$12.0k
48k-75k~$76k/yr$11.1k
75k-110k~$76k/yr$20.5k
110k+~$76k/yr$44.9k

Not sure what Macalester College would cost your family? Build your free SpearMatch list. We show estimated net cost for every college on your list based on your income bracket.

Unlock real pricing for Macalester College and matching colleges →

Personalize this page

Compare your profile to Macalester College's admitted class

SpearMatch builds a tiered college list from your actual grades, scores, and preferences — and shows where you stand at every college. Free, no account, 4 minutes.

Build My Free List →

✓ Free forever  ·  ✓ No account  ·  ✓ 1,300+ four-year US colleges

Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

90%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$46k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
10:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
2,349
Undergrad Enrollment
Macalester College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch