MC

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN·Private·www.macalester.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3

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. Ski resorts are within 19 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 36/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

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. Ski resorts are within 19 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 36/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

29%
Acceptance Rate
8,968 applications
32
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 30–34
$60,288
In-State Tuition
+$230 fees
$60,288
Out-of-State Tuition
+$230 fees
$15,760
Room & Board
19 meals/week
2,131
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
22%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D3
Athletics
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Selectivity29% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

680720750

SAT Math

670720760

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D3

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Weather

Cold Climate

37°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area

Minnesota

12 mi away
35 skiable acres7 lifts
12 mi away
45 skiable acres10 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Saint Paul, MN

15°Jan20°Feb32°Mar46°Apr58°May68°Jun73°Jul71°Aug62°Sep48°Oct34°Nov21°Dec

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

36/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety314435
31/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
44/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
35/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

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

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$60,288
Fees
$230
Room & Board
$15,760
Total
$76,278
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

39 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBachelor's
72 grads/yr$109,457
MathematicsBachelor's
63 grads/yr$91,979
EconomicsBachelor's
61 grads/yr$85,593
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
49 grads/yr$56,141
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
43 grads/yr$58,555

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer and Information Sciences, General
Bachelor's72 grads$109,457
Mathematics
Bachelor's63 grads$91,979
Economics
Bachelor's61 grads$85,593
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's43 grads$58,555
Biology, General
Bachelor's49 grads$56,141
International/Globalization Studies
Bachelor's28 grads$56,091
Geography and Cartography
Bachelor's$52,557
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Bachelor's31 grads$45,632
Research and Experimental Psychology
Bachelor's41 grads
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Bachelor's35 grads

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 2023–24 academic year, Macalester College charges $60,288/year in tuition. Including room and board ($15,760/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $60,518/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — 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), cost ($60,288/year out-of-state), campus culture in Saint Paul, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Macalester College against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Macalester College directly for the most current information.

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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

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.