Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 28.5%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 8,099
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 2,285
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 518
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 23%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 30%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 25%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 680–750
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 670–760
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 30–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 30% / 28%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- considered
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $82,991
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,104
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,104
- Median debt at graduation
- $23,000
- Students with federal loans
- 36%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 87%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 92%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $34,157
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $63,878
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 2,131
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 10 : 1
- Women
- 57%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 17%
- Full-time faculty
- 84%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Suzanne M. Rivera
- Main phone
- (651) 696-6000
- Address
- 1600 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105-1899
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | December 6 |
| Early Action | November 1 | December 19 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 1 | January 31 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | March 14 |
- Apply with
- Common App, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 2 optional short prompts in the Common App Macalester section
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 1 core-subject teacher; optional 3rd
Testing: Test-optional; equal consideration for admission and scholarships
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: All first-year applicants automatically considered for merit scholarships
- Macalester Promise: full tuition for admitted U.S. students with family income ≤$100,000 and typical assets
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 42.0% (201 of 479)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 765 / 446 / 82
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: macalester.edu, macalester.edu, macalester.edu, commonapp.org. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.