Macalester College
#26 in Best Value Schools
Overview
Macalester College is a private institution that was founded in 1874. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,175 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 53 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Macalester College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #27. Its tuition and fees are $64,908.
Life at Macalester College is an intimate liberal arts experience near two big Minnesota college towns. The Macalester campus is a 10-minute drive from both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis, two hubs of theatres, museums and outdoor activities known as the Twin Cities. Freshmen and sophomores must live on the Macalester campus. There is no Greek system at Macalester, but students can get involved in dozens of other clubs and organizations. The Macalester sports teams, known as the Scots, compete in the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Football is not a big draw for student fans, but both the men’s and women’s soccer teams are competitive. Annual student events include Springfest and Founder’s Day, campus celebrations that include bagpipe music and food. Bagpipes are a common theme on campus; the instrument heralds the beginning and end of major events, and students can take bagpipe lessons for free. To get off campus, students can take a class each semester at one of the other private colleges in the Twin Cities: Augsburg College, Hamline University, St. Catherine University and University of St. Thomas. Keen on an international focus, Macalester College regularly enrolls students from more than 90 countries, and about 60 percent of the student body studies abroad.
For students that need extra assistance for exams or graduate school applications, the on-campus MAX Center offers free individual and group tutoring sessions. In addition, financial assistance is guaranteed to every student, as the college pledges to meet the full need of each enrollee. Notable alumni of Macalester include diplomat Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary General of the United Nations; former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale; and talent agent Ari Emanuel, for whom the "Entourage" character Ari Gold was modeled.
Macalester College is a private institution that was founded in 1874. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,175 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 53 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Macalester College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #27. Its tuition and fees are $64,908.
Life at Macalester College is an intimate liberal arts experience near two big Minnesota college towns. The Macalester campus is a 10-minute drive from both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis, two hubs of theatres, museums and outdoor activities known as the Twin Cities. Freshmen and sophomores must live on the Macalester campus. There is no Greek system at Macalester, but students can get involved in dozens of other clubs and organizations. The Macalester sports teams, known as the Scots, compete in the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Football is not a big draw for student fans, but both the men’s and women’s soccer teams are competitive. Annual student events include Springfest and Founder’s Day, campus celebrations that include bagpipe music and food. Bagpipes are a common theme on campus; the instrument heralds the beginning and end of major events, and students can take bagpipe lessons for free. To get off campus, students can take a class each semester at one of the other private colleges in the Twin Cities: Augsburg College, Hamline University, St. Catherine University and University of St. Thomas. Keen on an international focus, Macalester College regularly enrolls students from more than 90 countries, and about 60 percent of the student body studies abroad.
For students that need extra assistance for exams or graduate school applications, the on-campus MAX Center offers free individual and group tutoring sessions. In addition, financial assistance is guaranteed to every student, as the college pledges to meet the full need of each enrollee. Notable alumni of Macalester include diplomat Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary General of the United Nations; former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale; and talent agent Ari Emanuel, for whom the "Entourage" character Ari Gold was modeled.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
Urban
Tuition & Fees
$64,908
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,175
Acceptance Rate
28%
From the School
Why Mac?
Macalester College is one of very few selective liberal arts colleges located in the heart of a major metropolitan area. Students at Mac live out the college mission of academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society by embracing interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. They are curious, highly motivated, serious about their academic pursuits, and supportive of each other; being more likely to work together for collective academic success than to compete.
Vibrant Cities
Academic, social, spiritual, community, and professional endeavors are all amplified by Macalester’s location in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. It’s here too, where students advocate for better policies and participate in social movements that shape our world.
Within five blocks of Macalester, there are at least twenty restaurants, eight coffee houses, five places of worship, two bookstores, a tea shop, movie theater and stores for art supplies, flowers, bike repairs, pharmacies, and music, as well as Ace Hardware, Breadsmith, Jamba Juice, Patagonia, Whole Foods and more. Many faculty and staff live on the winding streets adjacent to campus. Minneapolis and St. Paul are also known as two of the best biking cities, with numerous scenic bike paths.
Being in the heart of a metropolitan area allows for over 50 courses to readily partner with organizations in the Twin Cities. Example classes include Legislative Politics, where students intern as legislative aides in the nearby Minnesota State Capitol; Community Psychology and Public Health, in which students engage in off-campus shadowing opportunities; and Drama: Theater and Politics, which incorporates theatrical performances in multiple Twin Cities theaters including the world-class Guthrie Theater.
The Student Experience
Every Macalester student takes a First Year Course (FYC) in their first semester. Seminar-style FYCs are limited to 16 students and the professor is the academic advisor for each student in the class. FYCs set the stage for an academic journey based on small classes, individual attention, and collaboration.
Contributing to long-lasting friendships and a sense of community, there are over 100 student organizations available. They reflect the diverse interests of our students and range in focus from art, chess, comedy, consulting, culture, dance, gaming, investing, Mac radio station, and Model United Nations, to music, politics, Quiz Bowl, religion, rocketry, slam poetry, software development, and ultimate frisbee. Macalester has 19 varsity athletic teams as well as club and intramural sports. Most varsity teams compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Macalester Community
Macalester students come from more than 90 countries and all 50 states. More than 60% of students study abroad for 15 weeks or more, providing time for substantial experience and learning in another culture. The United Nations flag has flown over campus since 1950, a symbol of Macalester's commitment to world peace and understanding.
Alumni include Kofi Annan ’61 who became Secretary-General of the United Nations and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Fred Swaniker ‘99 who founded the African Leadership Academy and was named one of 2019’s 100 most influential people by Time Magazine, Tim O’Brien ’68, acclaimed author of The Things They Carried, actress and playwright Danai Gurira ’01 whose roles include Okoye in Black Panther, Avenger: Endgame and Michonne in The Walking Dead, and Walter Mondale ’50 who served as Vice President of the United States.
.
Why Mac?
Macalester College is one of very few selective liberal arts colleges located in the heart of a major metropolitan area. Students at Mac live out the college mission of academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society by embracing interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. They are curious, highly motivated, serious about their academic pursuits, and supportive of each other; being more likely to work together for collective academic success than to compete.
Vibrant Cities
Academic, social, spiritual, community, and professional endeavors are all amplified by Macalester’s location in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. It’s here too, where students advocate for better policies and participate in social movements that shape our world.
Within five blocks of Macalester, there are at least twenty restaurants, eight coffee houses, five places of worship, two bookstores, a tea shop, movie theater and stores for art supplies, flowers, bike repairs, pharmacies, and music, as well as Ace Hardware, Breadsmith, Jamba Juice, Patagonia, Whole Foods and more. Many faculty and staff live on the winding streets adjacent to campus. Minneapolis and St. Paul are also known as two of the best biking cities, with numerous scenic bike paths.
Being in the heart of a metropolitan area allows for over 50 courses to readily partner with organizations in the Twin Cities. Example classes include Legislative Politics, where students intern as legislative aides in the nearby Minnesota State Capitol; Community Psychology and Public Health, in which students engage in off-campus shadowing opportunities; and Drama: Theater and Politics, which incorporates theatrical performances in multiple Twin Cities theaters including the world-class Guthrie Theater.
The Student Experience
Every Macalester student takes a First Year Course (FYC) in their first semester. Seminar-style FYCs are limited to 16 students and the professor is the academic advisor for each student in the class. FYCs set the stage for an academic journey based on small classes, individual attention, and collaboration.
Contributing to long-lasting friendships and a sense of community, there are over 100 student organizations available. They reflect the diverse interests of our students and range in focus from art, chess, comedy, consulting, culture, dance, gaming, investing, Mac radio station, and Model United Nations, to music, politics, Quiz Bowl, religion, rocketry, slam poetry, software development, and ultimate frisbee. Macalester has 19 varsity athletic teams as well as club and intramural sports. Most varsity teams compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Macalester Community
Macalester students come from more than 90 countries and all 50 states. More than 60% of students study abroad for 15 weeks or more, providing time for substantial experience and learning in another culture. The United Nations flag has flown over campus since 1950, a symbol of Macalester's commitment to world peace and understanding.
Alumni include Kofi Annan ’61 who became Secretary-General of the United Nations and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Fred Swaniker ‘99 who founded the African Leadership Academy and was named one of 2019’s 100 most influential people by Time Magazine, Tim O’Brien ’68, acclaimed author of The Things They Carried, actress and playwright Danai Gurira ’01 whose roles include Okoye in Black Panther, Avenger: Endgame and Michonne in The Walking Dead, and Walter Mondale ’50 who served as Vice President of the United States.
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2024 Rankings
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Admissions
Cost
Tuition & Fees
$64,908
Room & Board
$14,982(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$57,991
$23,188
$23,188
Tuition & Fees
$64,908
Room & Board
$14,982(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$57,991
*Average cost after aid
Academics
83%
10:1
71%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Social Sciences
31%
N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
13%
N/A
Visual and Performing Arts
10%
N/A
Physical Sciences
9%
N/A
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
7%
N/A
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* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
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Students
2,175
Graduate Enrollment
N/A
Total Enrollment
2,175
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
2,068
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
32%
Minority Enrollment
32%
Minority Enrollment
54%
White
13%
International
10%
Hispanic
8%
Asian
8%
Two or more races
6%
Black
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
52+
Sports Teams
N/A
Fraternities
N/A
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
83%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
58%
Average Debt at Graduation
$21,841
$34,115
$34,115
Graduation Rate
83%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
58%
Average Debt at Graduation
$21,841
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Reviews & Ratings
See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.
Featured User Review
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Macalester was a wonderful fit for me. I graduated in 2017, and Mac opened up a world of opportunities. I found my academic home and passion in the Economics department, and I made lasting friendships through involvement in the Civic Engagement Center. Macalester ensures that you have opportunity to engage both broadly and deeply. I came to Mac deeply interested in exploring justice, and I found a community to push me to think critically about all issues. The position of a liberal arts school in the Twin Cities makes a huge different and connected me with a variety of internship opportunities throughout my undergraduate experience.
Laura A., Class of 2017
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
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