About Macalester College

Founded in 1874, Macalester College. is a Private college. Located in Minnesota, which is a city setting in Minnesota, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 2,146 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Macalester College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 191 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Macalester College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate37%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee40
SAT Range1260-1490
ACT Range29-33

Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,24% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 9 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 94% were in the top quarter, and 70% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Macalester College.

1%
“We”re apathetic”
4%
“We know about current events and vote”
46%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
48%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
4%
“Sometimes, but not often”
42%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
54%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
51%
“I feel extremely safe”
59%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
37%
“We bought the gear”
4%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
5%
“Available in class”
27%
“They keep regular office hours”
67%
“They”re always available”
99%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
1%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
15%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
73%
“We only party on weekends”
12%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
2%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
34%
“There might be people who do”
55%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
9%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
4%
“We know about current events and vote”
46%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
48%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
4%
“Sometimes, but not often”
42%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
54%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
51%
“I feel extremely safe”
59%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
37%
“We bought the gear”
4%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
5%
“Available in class”
27%
“They keep regular office hours”
67%
“They”re always available”
99%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
1%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
15%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
73%
“We only party on weekends”
12%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
2%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
34%
“There might be people who do”
55%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
9%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Macalester College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    58 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    34 Students rated off-campus housing 3.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    58 Students rated campus food 3.8 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    58 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    58 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 62 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    58 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    58 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    58 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Macalester College?

9 Students rated Macalester College

li - 04/09/2023

very good

Lisa - 01/23/2022

It is fine. My high school academics were more challenging and more group focused. I don’t mind challenging work however I don’t really like all the excessive “non-challenging” work. What I am saying is there is a lot of paperwork, that is rather simple, but takes a lot of time because of the volume and a student has to complete it since a lot of your class grade is based on completion. Low value intellectually. Some of the professors as people and in class are great. Also if you are a “sports” person - look somewhere else. The facilities are limited and shared across sports so gym time is limited to practices. Also the coaching staff, although maybe technically competent, are young and challenged in leadership and team building. In my opinion, coaches are focused on the wrong things for a small D3 school in the MIAC. And they make promises to get students interested that they don’t keep.

Mina

I love Macalester. My professors are some of the most supportive and yet challenging people I have ever met. The opportunities (academic, extracurricular, etc.) I have been presented with are so much more than I have ever had in my life. The friends I have made here are people I believe I will love and learn from for the rest of my life.

Veronica

Macalester College is such a great school. Professors are always available and are very helpful to students. Everyone on campus seems to get along with each other and coming to Mac is one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's located in a great neighborhood, many students from all over the country and outside the country, and academic excellence.

Macalester College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Macalester College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Macalester College is 37%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates seem to be perfectly content to be students and never get a job for the rest of their lives.

    Read all  86 answers
  3. What are the academics like at your school?

    Professors make an effort to not only know students' names but get to know the people behind them. Classes are generally small and discussion-based, though this depends on the department and course. My favorite classes have been topics courses like "French Cinema and Cultural Politics", "Race, Class, and Gender in American Art" and "Imagining the American West." Perhaps the most I have learned, however, is from conversations outside of class with other students both spurred by class and not.

    Read all  83 answers
  4. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    That we are extremely liberal, gay and hippies.

    Read all  82 answers
  5. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    There are a huge variety of people at Macalester, so for every stereotype of a Macalester student there is surely at least one on campus. However, overall what I like about Macalester students is that each has his or her own passion- whether that be environmental justice, DDR, or painting- and loves to explore and pursue that passion.

    Read all  82 answers
  6. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    My favorite things about Macalester: -it is in a city with a lot to do: art museums, music, bike trails, theater, but in an area of the city that feels "collegy" -Focus on internationalism and diversity through student body, classroom discussion and readings, etc -Students who are passionate, interested in learning, enjoy discussion

    Read all  79 answers
  7. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Dorms are the center of life for the first two years because everyone is required to live in them, and people in the dorm become quite close. At 2 am on a Tuesday most people are doing homework (or sleeping) but with the knowledge that they can chat with their neighbor once in awhile who is also working. In terms of activities, there really is a great diversity. Many people are in MIO (Macalester International Organization) or on the Legislative Board, on Model UN or other organizations, I can't really say there is any sort of hierarchy because people find what they like and everyone respects the different choices of individuals.

    Read all  75 answers
  8. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Once you have gone through the books and talked to people about schools, it's important to realize and keep in mind that there isn't one perfect school for everyone. Once you narrow it down a bit, you will more than likely be able to find people you like, classes you want, and activities you enjoy at a variety of schools, so don't stress out about finding that one place. The same goes for when you get to school. Try a lot of different activities, try to meet as many people as you can, step out of your comfort zone, and just focus on learning and discovering yourself.

    Read all  52 answers
  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    My school is incredibly diverse. We are one of the most international schools in the country. We also do not stress competition and the curriculum is highly adaptive to whatever you want to study.

    Read all  40 answers
  10. What kind of person should attend this school?

    liberal, academically telented, driven, global

    Read all  20 answers
  11. What's unique about your campus?

    Macalester taught me how to think. That is, to constantly engage critically with my surroundings, and to be able to express my ideas about the world both verbally and in written form. What could be more important?

    Read all  12 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Kofi Annan former secretary general of the United Nations is an Alumnus of my school

    Read all  11 answers
  13. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Macalester College is supportive, state-of-the-art, and generally well organized set on a small, pretty campus.

    Read all  10 answers
  14. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best know for our acedemic excellence and our very liberal thinking as well as our strive for a global perspective.

    Read all  8 answers
  15. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    people who want a diverse group of people in terms of values and opinions

    Read all  8 answers
  16. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    lack of intellectual diversity

    Read all  7 answers
  17. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Don't let people intimidate you - you'll gain their respect more by being yourself and saying what you believe than keeping quiet for fear of sounding stupid. Also, there will be some truly weird people, and they will be the school mascots, darlings, and legends, and know all the best parties. Get to know them. Be careful of making emphatic statements like, 'I will never,' or, 'I will always,' because before too long you will probably find yourself going against them, and it's less injurous to your pride if you allow for such an occurance.

    Read all  6 answers
  18. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Mac is filled with a lot of lip-service liberals, people who don't put their money where their mouths are.

    Read all  6 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Most Macalester College students are well informed of current events and have a commitment to social justice. To paint in very broad strokes, were a heterogenous group of well informed hippies.

    Read all  5 answers
  20. Describe your school to someone who's never heard of it.

    The University of Illinois Marching Illini perform in the 119th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA on January 1,

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

60%

female

40%

male

2,146

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

70%

Out-Of-State

14%

In-State

16%

International

Organizations

115

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

65%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
7%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
6%
% White or Caucasian
64%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

83% of students attending Macalester College receive some sort of financial aid. 15% were awarded federal grants. While 45% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$50,639

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,123

Books and Supplies

$11,266

Room and Board

63,028

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$16,848
$30 - $48K
$14,378
$48 - $75K
$17,423
$75 - $110K
$23,161
$110K & UP
$38,132

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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