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Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN·Private·~29% acceptance

Located in Saint Paul, MN, Macalester College is a private college. It admits about 29% of applicants. The average net price after aid is about $32,149 per year. About 89% of students graduate, and alumni earn a median of about $63,878 ten years after enrolling.

Average cost
$32,149/yr avg net price after aid
Full cost $82,991
Aid cuts ~$50,842/yr on average

Average across all aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take the free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.

Deadlines
ED
Nov 1
EA
Nov 1
RD
Jan 15

ED, EA and RD not confirmed with the college yet. Check their site before you rely on it.

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Your fit

Blueprint scores how well Macalester College matches your grades, budget, and preferences. New to Blueprint? Start with the Discovery quiz to find your best-fit majors first.

Admissions
GPA range3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)1350–1510
ACT (middle 50%)30–34
Test policyTest optional
Programs
Computer Science
Data Science / Statistics
Information Systems / IT
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Environmental Science
Outcomes
89%
graduation rate
92%
freshman retention
$46,244
median earnings, 6yr
$63,878
median earnings, 10yr
How Macalester College reads an application

What Macalester College values

Very important
Course rigorGrades (GPA)
Important
Application essaysRecommendationsExtracurricularsCharacter / personal qualities
Also considered
Class rankTest scoresInterviewTalent / abilityFirst-generation statusAlumni relation (legacy)Geographic residenceState residencyVolunteer workWork experience

From Macalester College’s Common Data Set. Put your effort where it counts most.

What Macalester College requires

Required
Course rigorRecommendationsTOEFL / English proficiency
Considered
Grades (GPA)Class rankCollege-prep programTest scoresApplication essaysWork experience

From federal IPEDS data — what Macalester College requires vs considers (not how heavily each is weighed).

Frequently asked questions
What is Macalester College's acceptance rate?
Macalester College admits about 29% of applicants.
How much does Macalester College cost?
At Macalester College, the average net price after aid is about $32,149 per year, and the full cost of attendance is about $82,991 per year before aid. Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Macalester College?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1350–1510 on the SAT and 30–34 on the ACT.
What are Macalester College's application deadlines?
Macalester College's deadlines are Early Decision around Nov 1, Early Action around Nov 1, Regular Decision around Jan 15. Always confirm exact dates on the school's official site.
What does Macalester College value most in applicants?
In its most recent Common Data Set, Macalester College rates Course rigor and Grades (GPA) as "very important" in admissions decisions, and also weighs Application essays, Recommendations, Extracurriculars, and Character / personal qualities. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see how your profile lines up.

See if Macalester College is a fit for you

Two free steps: find your best-fit majors with the Discovery quiz, then run the College Matchmaker for your real admission odds and net price at Macalester College, side by side with your other schools.