Macalester College
www.macalester.edu
Macalester College
Office of Admissions
1600 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
phone: 651.696.6357
toll-free: 800.231.7974
fax: 651.696.6724
email admissions
Programs and Degrees Offered
Overview
Overview
Macalester was founded in 1874 on a firm belief in the transformational power of a liberal arts education. Since then, our students and alumni have demonstrated that power as a force for positive change, in turn attracting a growing community of learners from around the world. Today, Macalester is recognized as a global leader among liberal arts colleges, with the highest standards for scholarship and a continuing commitment to internationalism, multiculturalism and service to society. Tomorrow’s leaders will be innovative thinkers who are comfortable in the vast array of humanity. These skills are nurtured and encouraged in an open, global environment at Macalester.
Macalester College at a glance
Enrollment
- Undergraduate: 2,136
Student distribution
- Domestic students: 73% White, 9% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 4% African-American, 7% multiracial, <1% American Indian/Alaska Native, <1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, <1% race/ethnicity unknown
- International students are 16% of total enrollment
Academics
- Student/faculty ratio: 10:1
- Average class size: 17
- Number of undergraduate majors: 37
First-year student profile
- Percentage from Minnesota: 16%
- Percentage who live on campus: 100%
- ACT: 66% of students submitted; middle 50% of enrolled students had ACT composite scores between 29 and 32
- SAT: 45% of students submitted; middle 50% ranges were 640-740 for math, 660-740 for evidence-based reading and writing
Cost & financial aid
- 2018-19 undergraduate tuition and fees: $54,344
- 2018-19 room and board: $12,156
- Percentage of first-time, full-time students receiving grants and scholarships: 83%
Religious affiliation
None
Graduate outcomes
Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool* to explore what Macalester graduates majored in and the types of careers they have and with which companies.
*based only on those who have accounts on LinkedIn
Academics
Academics
Degrees offered
- Bachelor of Arts
View a list of all majors and degrees or Macalester's detailed program information.
5 largest majors:
- Economics
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- International Studies
Student/faculty ratio
10:1
Average class size
17
Faculty
184 full time, 54 part time; 93% of full-time faculty members hold the doctorate or highest degree in their field
Pre-professional programs
- 3-4 architecture
- Pre-engineering
- Pre-law
- Medical fields
Intercampus agreement
- Students may take one course per term at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with the approval of the Registrar's Office.
- The Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) is a partnership with Augsburg University, St. Catherine University, Hamline University, Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas. The partnership allows students to register for courses at the other colleges.
Honors program
Students of exceptionally high achievement are invited to undertake a special project of independent research or creative work in their senior year. Their work is evaluated by a small committee of faculty with special expertise in the field of the student's work.
Study abroad programs
Approximately 60 percent of Macalester students study abroad for at least one semester before graduating. Last year Mac students studied abroad on 109 programs going to 55 countries (not including the United States), on every continent except Antarctica.
In addition, 23 percent of Macalester students hold citizenship in another country with 90 countries represented in the student body, making Macalester one of the most global campuses in the nation. Graduates reap the benefits of a global education in the job market and at top graduate programs.
Internships/career services
At more than 230 sites in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and around the country, Macalester students apply and acquire knowledge in active professional roles with organizations in the nonprofit, government or private sectors. Each year over 400 students do an internship for credit. By graduation, nearly 78 percent of all Macalester students report having completed at least one internship, with the majority done for academic credit.
Accreditation & approval
- North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
Admission & cost
Admissions
Application: www.macalester.edu/admissions/apply/
Application deadlines: Early Decision I: Nov. 15; Early Decision II: Jan. 1; Regular Decision: Jan. 15
Application fee: $40 (waived if Part 1 is submitted by Nov. 15)
Admissions tests required: ACT or SAT
Earning college credit in high school:
View a summary table of what is recognized and accepted as well as how many of those credits can be applied toward your degree.
Transfer criteria (credits, GPA):
Students must complete at least one full semester as a full-time, degree-seeking student at another college before applying. No more than the equivalent of 64 semester hours may be transferred.
Transfer process (deadlines and materials)
Fall Deadline: Apr. 15. Applicants use the Common Application for Transfer Students.
2018-19 cost
Net price calculator: macalester.edu/financialaid/estimate
Undergraduate tuition and fees: $54,344
Undergraduate room and board: $12,156
Financial aid
Percentage of first-time, full-time students receiving grants and scholarships: 83%
Financial aid application deadline: Feb. 1
FAFSA code: 002358
Financial aid information
Each admitted student receives a financial aid package that meets 100 percent of his or her demonstrated need for financial aid. Two out of three Macalester students receive need-based financial assistance. The average financial aid award for full-time students with demonstrated need in 2017-18 was $45,680. Grants and scholarships made up 85 percent of the average financial aid package. More information
Student involvement
Student organizations
More than 100 student organizations including:
- Academic clubs
- Communications and publications organizations
- Special interest groups
- Religious groups
- Speech
- Theatre arts organizations
Athletic programs
Conference membership
- NCAA Division III
- Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
- Midwest Conference (football only)
Men's varsity
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross-country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Track and field (indoor and outdoor)
Women's varsity
- Basketball
- Cross-country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Track and field (indoor and outdoor)
- Volleyball
- Water polo
Intramurals
- Badminton
- Ultimate Frisbee
Co-Rec:
- Dodgeball
- Soccer (indoor and outdoor)
- Softball
Club sports
- Crew (men's and women's)
- Ice hockey (men's and women's)
- Lacrosse (women's)
- Nordic skiing (men's and women's)
- Rugby (men's and women's)
- Tennis (men's and women's)
- Ultimate Frisbee (men's and women's)
- Volleyball (men's and women's)
- Water polo (men’s only at club level; women have varsity team)
Fine arts offerings
- Musical performance: 14 ensembles associated with music programs
- Theater: 225 students participate in 4-5 productions per year with themes suggested by students
- Dance: 175 students participate in two productions per year with themes suggested by students
Student organizations
113 organizations in 2017-2018, including:
- Art Alliance
- Bad Comedy
- Flying Fingers
- Fresh Concepts
- Bodacious hip hop dance team
- Visceral hip hop dance team
- Mac Players
- Macalester Traditions (Trads)
- Scotch Tape and Sirens
- Medicinal Melodies
Social media
Macalester Campus News
- Actress Mandi Masden on the Timeliness of Her Latest Play “The Light” | Women and Hollywood | February 21, 2019
- From Tallgrass Prairie to Garlic Mustard: Katharine Ordway Natural History Study Area at Macalester College Reveals Environmental Monitoring Surprises | Environmental Monitor | March 22, 2019
