Macalester College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Macalester College
Global outlook meets Midwest neighborliness at Macalester. It's known for strong teaching across sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Students use labs, studios, performance spaces, a bright library, and a lively rec center, with advising, writing help, health and counseling, and career coaching close by. The vibe is curious, outward looking, and unpretentious.
Campus life hums with music, theater, cultural orgs, activism, and intramurals, and the Twin Cities feel like an extended classroom. Internships span nonprofits, media, tech, and public service, plus parks, lakes, and a real coffee scene. A flag tradition honoring students' home countries marks big moments. Alumni like Kofi Annan and Danai Gurira reflect that outlook. It feels thoughtful, energized, a touch scrappy.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Macalester College offers 40 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 688 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (4 programs, 122 graduates), Interdisciplinary (5 programs, 91 graduates), Biological Sciences (2 programs, 75 graduates), Languages (8 programs, 58 graduates) and Psychology (1 programs, 52 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (4 programs, 122 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Interdisciplinary (5 programs, 91 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Studies | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2001 |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.4401 |
| Intercultural and Diversity Studies | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2301 |
| Computational Science | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.3001 |
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 75 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
Languages (8 programs, 58 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linguistics | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0102 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
| Classics and Classical Languages | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1200 |
| German Language and Literature | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0501 |
| Chinese Language and Literature | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0301 |
| French Language and Literature | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0901 |
| Japanese Language and Literature | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0302 |
| Russian Language and Literature | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0402 |
Psychology (1 programs, 52 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 51 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
Mathematics (1 programs, 40 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0101 |
English (2 programs, 37 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1302 |
| English Language and Literature | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Natural Resources (1 programs, 34 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
Arts (4 programs, 34 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Arts, General | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Music | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0599 |
| Art History and Conservation | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Macalester College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Macalester College
How much does it cost to attend Macalester College?
The annual tuition at Macalester College is $64,908 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $82,991 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $15,477 (on-campus) and books and supplies $926.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Macalester College offer?
Macalester College offers 40 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (5 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (2 programs)
- Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies (8 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Macalester College?
Macalester College has an 28.2% acceptance rate and a 22.7% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 8,099
- Students admitted: 2,285
- Students enrolled: 518
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Macalester College?
Macalester College provides financial aid to 25% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $40,329 and average loans of $8,072.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,462
- State/Local grants: $6,430
- Institutional grants: $38,737
- Federal loans: $4,989
The university supports 485 students with grants and 232 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Macalester College graduates?
Macalester College graduates earn a median salary of $46,244 after 6 years and $63,878 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $41,814 (25th percentile) to $87,495 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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