Campus Identity
Macalester College is a small private nonprofit college in Saint Paul, MN. Approximately 2,131 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 29% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 13 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 19 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 36/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Macalester College is a small private nonprofit college in Saint Paul, MN. Approximately 2,131 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 29% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 13 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 19 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 36/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Macalester College is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 13 miles from Pool 2 and 12 miles from Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area.
Athletics
NCAA D3
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
13 miles
Pool 2
Weather
Cold Climate
37°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Macalester College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area, 12 miles away with 7 lifts and 35 skiable acres. All are within 16 miles of campus.
Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota
Nearest Beach
Students at Macalester College are 13 miles from Pool 2.
Pool 2
Ocean access within 12.6 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul has a cool climate, with winters averaging 15°F in Jan and summers peaking around 73°F in Jul.
Station: ST. PAUL 3 SW · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Macalester College in MN earns a composite safety score of 36/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $68,104 |
| Fees | $230 |
| Room & Board | $15,760 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $84,094 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
39 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Macalester College located?
Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN. The main campus address is 1600 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Macalester College?
Macalester College has an acceptance rate of 29%, making it selective. Out of 8,968 applicants, 2,558 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,131 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Macalester College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Macalester College scored between 30 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 32. About 23% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Macalester College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Macalester College charges $68,104/year in tuition. Including room and board ($15,760/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $60,518/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $32,149/year — what students actually pay. Use Macalester College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Does Macalester College have college sports?
Yes — Macalester College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is Macalester College the right fit for me?
Whether Macalester College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (29% admit rate), avg net price ($32,149/year after aid), campus culture in Saint Paul, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Macalester College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Macalester College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Saint Paul, MN
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 37°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 36/100
- Nearest Airport
- Minneapolis, MN (MSP) · 5 mialso STP (5 mi), RNH (34 mi)
Location
Saint Paul, MN