# Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN. Source page: https://www.dreamschool.co/colleges/macalester-college

Macalester College is a private nonprofit college in Saint Paul, MN with 2,131 undergraduates. It admits 28% of applicants, and admitted students average 1440 on the SAT. The average net price after aid is $27,851 per year ($15,715 for families earning under $30,000). 91% of students graduate, and graduates earn a median of $69,951 ten years after enrolling.

## Key facts

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Admission rate | 28% (Fall 2024) |
| Testing policy | Test optional (considered if submitted) (Fall 2024) |
| Applicants | 8,099 (Fall 2023) |
| Admitted | 2,285 (Fall 2023) |
| SAT Reading & Writing (middle 50%) | 680–750 (Fall 2024) |
| SAT Math (middle 50%) | 670–760 (Fall 2024) |
| ACT Composite (middle 50%) | 30–34 (Fall 2024) |
| Cost of attendance | $86,134 (2024-25) |
| Average net price | $27,851 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $15,715 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $4,569 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $15,825 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $28,539 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $43,770 (2024-25) |
| Undergraduates | 2,131 (Fall 2024) |
| Graduation rate | 91% (Fall 2019) |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $69,951 (2023) |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 (FY2024) |

## What Macalester College considers in admissions (Fall 2023)

- High school record: Required
- High school GPA: Considered
- College-prep coursework: Considered
- Class rank: Considered
- Essay or personal statement: Considered
- Recommendations: Required
- Demonstrated competencies: Not considered
- Legacy status: Not considered
- Work experience: Considered
- English proficiency test: Required

## FAQ

**What is Macalester College's acceptance rate?**

Macalester College admits 28% of applicants, which makes it selective.

**What SAT score do you need for Macalester College?**

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 680–750 on SAT Reading and Writing and 670–760 on SAT Math; the average total is 1440.

**What ACT score do you need for Macalester College?**

The middle 50% ACT composite range for admitted students is 30–34.

**Is Macalester College test optional?**

Test optional (considered if submitted).

**How many students apply to Macalester College?**

In Fall 2023, 8,099 students applied to Macalester College and 2,285 were admitted; 518 enrolled.

**Does Macalester College consider legacy status?**

No. Macalester College reported that legacy status is not considered in admissions (Fall 2023).

**Does Macalester College require an essay?**

Macalester College reported that an essay or personal statement is considered for admission (Fall 2023).

**How much does Macalester College cost?**

The sticker cost of attendance is $86,134 per year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is $27,851.

**What is Macalester College's graduation rate?**

91% of full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.


## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution-Level Data), released 2026-10-15: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- IPEDS Admissions survey (ADM2023): https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/DataFiles.aspx
- IPEDS unit ID 173902. Methodology: https://www.dreamschool.co/methodology