About Macalester College
The sticker price hits $64,908 for tuition, but most families pay far less. The average net price drops to $29,980 after aid, making this expensive school more accessible than it appears. Students graduate with a median debt of $23,000, which seems reasonable when you consider graduates earn a median of $63,878 ten years out. That debt-to-earnings ratio works in your favor, especially with a 90% graduation rate backing up the investment.
Only 14% of students come from Minnesota, creating a campus that feels more like a global village than a regional college. The 94% retention rate suggests students find their tribe quickly. With 17 varsity sports and NCAA Division III competition, student-athletes balance academics and athletics without the pressure of athletic scholarships.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 84.1%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 89.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 90.4%
- Retention Rate
- 94.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $63,878
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $71,575 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $64,493 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $52,107 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $35,274 |
| International/Global Studies. | Bachelor | $34,526 |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $33,281 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Bachelor | $32,569 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $31,133 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $29,685 |
Campus Life
The campus buzzes with international energy, reflecting Macalester's global focus. Students often hang out at the Campus Center or study in the DeWitt Wallace Library. Weekends bring everything from Ultimate Frisbee games on the Great Lawn to trips into the Twin Cities for concerts, museums, or Wild hockey games. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means you'll know your professors well, and many students grab coffee with them regularly. Saint Paul's Grand Avenue, just blocks away, offers coffee shops, restaurants, and bookstores where Mac students are regular fixtures. The campus stays active year-round, though outdoor activities shift from biking and running to cross-country skiing and ice skating when winter hits.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 1,304 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1874
Campus Safety (2023)
36 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Stalking | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 6°–23°F
- July Avg
- 63°–81°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 31.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 42.3%
- Women
- 57.7%
- White
- 51.7%
- Black
- 5.8%
- Hispanic
- 11.3%
- Asian
- 8.5%
- In-State Students
- 13.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 17.3%
Location
- Address
- Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105-1899
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $63,878
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $56,285
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,900
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 88.7%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $244/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Macalester College?
Macalester College accepts 28.42% of applicants, making it highly selective among liberal arts colleges. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1340-1500 on the SAT, reflecting the academic caliber expected at this internationally-focused institution.
How much does Macalester College cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Macalester College is $29,980, lower than the sticker price of $64,908. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of just $12,877, demonstrating the college's commitment to making education accessible despite its Presbyterian liberal arts heritage.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Macalester College?
Macalester College maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with 2,131 total students. This small class environment supports the college's reputation for close mentorship and rigorous academic discussion, particularly in its well-known international studies programs.
What are the career outcomes for Macalester College graduates?
Macalester College graduates earn a median salary of $63,878 ten years after graduation, with a strong 90.40% six-year graduation rate. The college's emphasis on global citizenship and liberal arts education produces alumni like former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Vice President Walter Mondale.
Where is Macalester College located and what is campus life like?
Macalester College sits in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with housing capacity for 1,304 students in its urban setting. The campus attracts students from across the country, with only 13.53% coming from in-state, creating a diverse residential community known for its progressive activism and intellectual engagement.
How diverse is the student body at Macalester College?
Macalester College's student body is 51.71% white, with significant representation from Hispanic (11.31%), Asian (8.54%), and Black (5.77%) students. This diversity reflects the college's longstanding commitment to internationalism and social justice, values that permeate campus culture and academic programming.
