Macalester College is one of very few selective liberal arts and sciences colleges located in the heart of a major metropolitan area. Macalester's demanding academic program and commitments to internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society are all amplified by its location in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Students who thrive at Macalester are curious, highly motivated, serious about their academic pursuits, and supportive of each other; choosing collective success over competition. 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.
Macalester's location in the heart of a metropolitan area of 3.5 million people augments academic opportunities. Over 50 courses partner with organizations in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Example classes include:
Community Psychology and Public Health, in which students engage in off-campus shadowing opportunities;
Drama: Theater and Politics, which incorporates theatrical performances in multiple Twin Cities theaters including the world-class Guthrie Theater;
Environmental Leadership, where students apply knowledge learned in the classroom at a local environmental business or organization;
Legislative Politics, where students intern as legislative aides in the nearby Minnesota State Capitol.
Students come from more than 95 countries and all 50 states. More than 60% of students study abroad for 15 weeks or more going to over 50 countries, 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.
Campus life is lively, with nearly one hundred campus organizations providing opportunities for Macalester students to pursue their passions. Macalester's Program Board, an arm of student government, fills the calendar with a variety of events and gatherings, including some beloved traditions like Springfest and Winter Ball.
Opportunities continue off-campus. From internships with Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations, to professional sports at five nearby venues, to world class theaters and museums, Macalester's best-of-both-worlds location manifests itself in the academic and social lives of students. Students will also venture out to try new restaurants, with a wide variety of culinary and ethnic styles represented across the Twin Cities.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Manager of VIsit Experience
1600 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
Experience College Life
Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Leonard Center (athletic facility)
Bateman Plaza (our front patio)
Idea Lab in DeWitt Wallace Library
Mississippi River, 20 min. walk down historic Summit Ave.
Grand Ave/Crocus Hill 3 miles of shops, restaurants
Uptown in Mpls., trendy and artsy shops, etc.
Mall of America, complete w/amusement park, aquarium
1. Coffee houses just a few doors from campus. 3. Grand Ave runs through campus and also boasts art galleries, live music and a movie theater. 5. Mall of America, largest shopping mall in the country.
Campus Tours
8002317974
Dates: Varies
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Faculty and Coach Visits
Class Visits
Overnight Dorm Stays
Transportation
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
Seniors and transfer applicants can begin their application with the Preliminary Application, letting Admissions know of their interest in Macalester. The form is available at macalester.edu/apply along with detailed instructions for completing the application. The Common App and QuestBridge are the two ways in which applications are submitted.
The best preparation for college is a balanced and rigorous high school curriculum. It is important to take classes in all five academic core subjects: English, mathematics, history or social science, laboratory science, and foreign language. Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses should be taken if available.
Macalester evaluates each applicant's record in their high school context, paying particular attention to each applicant's curricular opportunities and performance. There is no minimum GPA because school systems vary a great deal.
Macalester practices a holistic admissions review. Factors such as academic performance in high school, teacher recommendations, essays, leadership experience and extracurricular involvement are thoroughly reviewed by the Admissions Committee. A test-optional admissions policy means students are welcome to submit standardized test scores if it's believed the scores will add another positive layer to the application. There is no penalty for students who choose not to submit test scores.
There is an admissions staff member assigned to every state and region of the world, ready to answer your questions and help you through the application process. Find your counselor at macalester.edu/admissions/connect/.
Overview
SAT & ACT Test Scores
Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Early Decision II — January 1
Early Action — November 1
Regular — January 15
Other Admission Factors
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
African Studies
Asian Languages and Cultures
Astronomy
Biochemistry
Cognitive Science
Community and Global Health
Creative Writing
Critical Theory
Dance
Food, Agriculture and Society
Human Rights and Humanitarianism
International Development
Latin
Legal Studies
Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization
Performance Design and Technologies
Portuguese
Pre-Engineering
Pre-Law
Pre-Medicine
Theater
Urban Studies
Majors and Degrees Offered
Degree offered = Bachelor of Arts
Majors
American Studies
Anthropology
Art and Art History
Asian Studies
Biology
Chemistry
Chinese
Classical Mediterranean and Middle East
Computer Science
Data Science
Economics
Educational Studies
English
Environmental Studies
French
Geography
Geology
German Studies
History
Individually Designed Interdepartmental
International Studies
Japanese
Latin American Studies
Linguistics
Mathematics
Media and Cultural Studies
Music
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics
Theater and Dance
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
Asian Studies/Civilization.
Latin American Studies.
Women's Studies.
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Neuroscience.
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COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Mass Communication/Media Studies.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
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EDUCATION.
Education, General.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Linguistics.
Russian Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
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HISTORY.
History, General.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
Statistics, General.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Computational Science.
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies.
International/Global Studies.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
Geography.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Music, General.
Students Say
Unique pedagogical methods are present across every course of study, including innovative grading systems that "try to reduce student stress while remaining rigorous," such as "ungrading, in which students design individual grading tracks to ultimately evaluate themselves, with support and feedback from the professor." Other approaches include an open learning system where students "are grouped not by ability, but according to their interests and needs." This results in a variety of learning methods, paces, and content beyond testing alone: "Professors try to design methods of assessment that encourage more creativity and teamwork," and "classroom discussions are lively and intense with the intent to actually better understand the world, class materials, and each other." Students say that "flipped classrooms, with lectures as homework and discussion and working on problems in class, are common."
Degrees
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Academic Rating
Careers
Graduation Rates
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Students Say
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Macalester's 2022-2023 comprehensive fee of $76,270 includes tuition & fees of $62,270 and room and board costs of $14,000.
Financial Aid
Macalester's robust financial aid program supports the enrollment of bright, talented students from around the world, regardless of their family's financial background. Macalester provides a financial aid package equal to 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student.
Two out of three Macalester students receive need-based financial aid. The average total financial aid package for the 2021-2022 school year was $55,594. Financial aid eligibility varies widely with some students receiving much more than the average and some receiving much less.
Macalester also provides a significant merit-based scholarship program. Around half of Macalester students received a merit-based scholarship from Macalester in 2021-2022, averaging $14,440 (most merit scholars also qualified for need-based financial aid). All applicants for admission are considered for Macalester's merit scholarships. No additional application is required.
Students are strongly encouraged to use the financial aid eligibility estimating tools found at macalester.edu/financialaid/estimate for a more specific estimate of financial aid eligibility. Macalester participates in MyinTuition, a quick and easy way (6 financial questions, 3 minutes) to obtain a ballpark estimate of financial aid eligibility.
Dates
Required Forms
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
Financial Aid Statistics
Expenses per Academic Year
Available Aid
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
State Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Two current students wrote this about Macalester: "We come from all over the world, every U.S. state, and right down the street. We are from cities and rural towns, upper class communities and first generation families, blue states, swing states, and red states.
Our diversity of backgrounds, identities, and perspectives combine to form a vibrant community united by our dedication to academic excellence, civic engagement, multiculturalism, and internationalism. Every person you meet on campus will, if you let them, talk to you for hours on end about some topic that fascinates and inspires. While we are passionate about many different topics, each of us has at least one subject that drives us forward to discover more, delve deeper, and always ask another question.
We constantly strive to create a better world and find new ways to build bridges across differences. We celebrate time to gather with friends and continue broadening our experiences. We are a community of 2,200 unique students. There is a Macalester identity that seems to transcend difference and unite us under one common, if slightly unconventional roof."
There are over 100 student organizations available. They reflect the diverse interests of our students and range in focus from academic, adventure, art, athletics, chess, comedy, consulting, culture, dance, entrepreneurship, gaming, Habitat for Humanity, investing, Mac radio station, Model United Nations, music, performance, philosophy, politics, Quiz Bowl, recreation, religion, rocketry, scrabble, service, slam poetry, software development, sports, ultimate frisbee, water polo and more.
Macalester has 19 varsity athletic teams as well as club and intramural sports. Varsity teams compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division III level.
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Macalester's location is one of the most desirable in the Twin Cities. Adjacent to campus, Summit Avenue has the largest concentration of Victorian-era architecture in the nation. Grand Avenue is home to an abundance of restaurants and shops. Many faculty and staff live on the winding streets adjacent to campus. Minneapolis and St. Paul are known as two of the best biking cities, with numerous scenic bike paths. 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.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Macalester offers extraordinary resources for classroom learning, laboratory experience, original research, field work, dining options, athletics, and more. Students work in state-of-the-art labs with impressive equipment. They enjoy a dining hall filled with natural light and healthy food options. They participate in varsity and club sports in an award-winning athletic & wellness complex. And they benefit from a library that supports the needs of today's students and faculty.
Macalester's facilities and equipment include:
A bronze foundry
Science Center where students conduct cutting-edge research over multiple disciplines with impressive equipment, including these and much more:
Coherent 899-29 ring laser
Beckman CEQ Capillary DNA Sequencer
PANalytical PW2400 X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer
Magneto-Optical cryostat
Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) system
Beckman Coulter Cytomics FC500 Flow Cytometer
Leica DMRA2 Fluorescent microscope with advanced image processing
FEMTOLASERS femtosecond Ti-Sapphire laser
Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
Award-winning library that houses an Idea Lab, film collection, archives, rare books and special collections
Bikes that can be checked out from the library
Ordway Field Station, 278 acres to conduct research and advance the protection of natural environments
Observatory with DFM 16" telescope
Foucault pendulum
Several large dinosaur skeletons
Econometrics lab, Ethnographic lab, and GIS lab
A ballroom for large audiences and student dances
Seven language houses: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish
Athletic and wellness complex with a fitness center, fieldhouse, performance gym, tennis courts, pole vault, indoor track and natatorium
Campus Center with primary dining hall serving food from around the world, vegetarian meals, stir fry, soups, salad bar, cereals, ice cream and more.
Off-Campus Opportunities
A New York student wrote this about off-campus opportunities: "I've been to a Grammy-winning classical performance by the Saint Paul Chamber orchestra and major pop concerts. I've been to the Super Bowl and seen a show at the Guthrie Theater. I can take a walk by the Mississippi River or Minnehaha Falls, stroll through an art museum like the Walker or the Minneapolis Institute of Art and it's all within a short bus ride or even walking distance from campus. There are so many opportunities within just a few minutes. Our location is also amazing for internships and research."
Campus Life
Housing Options
Cooperative
Dorms Coed
Theme Housing
Students Say
In their remaining free time, students "take advantage of being in the Twin Cities and go off campus to study and explore as well as eat"; while on campus, "lunch and especially dinner in the dining hall are a large part of the social life." The school itself also plans events "like a crafts night, make your own tote bag, and trivia nights which are open to anyone." Student-run events are extremely successful and contribute to the strong sense of community on campus.
Special Needs Admissions
Documentation Required for LD
A student?s narrative of his or her experience of disability, barriers, and effective and ineffective accommodations is an important tool which, when structured by interview or questionnaire and interpreted, may be sufficient for establishing disability and a need for accommodation. If the nexus between the disability and need for accommodation is not clear Disability Resources may ask for documentation from external sources. This may include educational or medical records, reports and assessments created by health care providers, school psychologists, teachers, or the educational system. This information is inclusive of documents that reflect education and accommodation history, such as Individual Education Program (IEP), Summary Of Performance (SOP), and observation xii. External documentation will vary in its relevance and value depending on the original context, credentials of the evaluator, the level of detail provided, and the comprehensiveness of the narrative. However, all forms of documentation are meaningful and should be mined for pertinent information. Information may also take the form of 504 or IEP plan from special education professionals, a letter from a therapist, doctor, rehabilitation counselor, audiologist, or mobility specialist. The intake, along with documentation, helps our office determine the scope of accommodation needs. In some cases, additional documentation may be required to provide services.Documentation Required for ADHD
A student?s narrative of his or her experience of disability, barriers, and effective and ineffective accommodations is an important tool which, when structured by interview or questionnaire and interpreted, may be sufficient for establishing disability and a need for accommodation. If the nexus between the disability and need for accommodation is not clear Disability Resources may ask for documentation from external sources. This may include educational or medical records, reports and assessments created by health care providers, school psychologists, teachers, or the educational system. This information is inclusive of documents that reflect education and accommodation history, such as Individual Education Program (IEP), Summary Of Performance (SOP), and observation xii. External documentation will vary in its relevance and value depending on the original context, credentials of the evaluator, the level of detail provided, and the comprehensiveness of the narrative. However, all forms of documentation are meaningful and should be mined for pertinent information. Information may also take the form of 504 or IEP plan from special education professionals, a letter from a therapist, doctor, rehabilitation counselor, audiologist, or mobility specialist. The intake, along with documentation, helps our office determine the scope of accommodation needs. In some cases, additional documentation may be required to provide services.Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Water Polo
Student Services
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of St. Thomas
Sustainability
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2024.
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Wellness Program/Clinical Offerings
Education & Training
Available for faculty & staff;