Macalester College is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Saint Paul, Minnesota with 2,131 undergraduates. It admits 29% of applicants, costs an average of $27,851 a year after grants and graduates 91% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Macalester College acceptance rate and admissions
Macalester College admitted 29% of applicants for fall 2024, about 1 in 4. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 680 to 750, math 670 to 760). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Macalester College application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early decision | Nov 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Early decision II | Jan 1, 2027 |
| Early action | Nov 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Regular decision | Jan 15, 2027 |
Next deadline: Early decision II, Jan 1, 2027. Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Macalester College’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Macalester College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $70,862 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $16,966 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $86,134 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $27,851 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $27,851 a year after grants and scholarships, $58,283 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Macalester College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Macalester College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 91% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $69,951 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $21,500 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 31% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Macalester College majors and what graduates earn
Macalester College awarded bachelor's degrees in 37 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer and information sciences ($109,457).
All 37 majors at Macalester College
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Students and location
- 2,131 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 57% women, 43% men
- 10 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large city
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Macalester College?
Macalester College admitted 29% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Macalester College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $70,862. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $27,851 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Macalester College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 680 to 750 in reading and writing and 670 to 760 in math, and 30 to 34 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Macalester College test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Macalester College reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Macalester College?
91% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Macalester College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $69,951 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Minnesota · colleges in Saint Paul · Macalester College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.