Overview
Macalester College, situated in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a private liberal arts college known for its internationalism and commitment to civic engagement. The college is home to the Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship, promoting interdisciplinary learning and global awareness.
There are currently 2,131 undergraduates at Macalester and the school’s acceptance rate is 28%. The tuition at Macalester is $64,908.
Macalester is affiliated with the Presbyterian faith. Many schools have religious affiliations but only some of them incorporate their affiliation in a way that shapes the student experience. If you have any questions about the role of the Presbyterian faith at Macalester, be sure to reach out to their admissions officers.
Liberal Arts
City
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$82,991
$53,011
$29,980
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$82,991The sticker price at Macalester is $82,991. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Macalester would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Macalester College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Macalester you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Macalester is 002358 and the CSS Profile Code is 6390.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Minnesota scholarshipsMacalester College QuestBridge Scholarships
Macalester is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Macalester College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Macalester College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Macalester meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Macalester College? Macalester offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Macalester's website for more information!
Midwest Student Tuition Exchange
Macalester is in a state that participates in the Midwest Student Exchange. That means that if you are a resident of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you may qualify for discounted tuition at Macalester. This program applies to both private and public institutions, although the discount at private institutions is lower. Check their website for more information on eligibility and what your discount would be.
Pell Grants at Macalester College
15% of students at Macalester College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Macalester. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Macalester College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Macalester, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.macalester.edu/financial-aid/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 651-696-6214
Admissions
28%
31
1408
Does Macalester have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Macalester College includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Macalester's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Macalester Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Macalester test-optional?
Macalester College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Macalester?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Macalester College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
What is the application deadline at Macalester?
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
10:1
Graduation Rate
90%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
22%
22% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
13%
13% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
9%
9% of graduates
Mathematics
8%
8% of graduates
Physical Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Psychology
6%
6% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
5%
5% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,131
Pell Grant 17%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 1%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%
Ethnic Diversity at Macalester
52% White
13% International / Non-Citizen
11% Hispanic
9% Asian / Pacific Islander
8% Multiracial
6% Black
1% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$63,878
Median Debt $23,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $244
Graduation Rate 90%
What is the graduation rate at Macalester College?
90% of students who start at Macalester College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 32% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Macalester College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Macalester College is $63,878. This is $13,487 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Macalester College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Macalester take out in loans?
Graduates of Macalester take out a median of $23,000 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Macalester College and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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