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Macalester College
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Saint Paul, MN🏛️ Private university📝 Test-optional

This private college in Saint Paul, Minnesota enrolls about 2,175 students and admits roughly 28.5% of applicants. It's strongest in social sciences, biology, and interdisciplinary studies. After accounting for financial aid, the average net price is $36,095 annually, and graduates earn a median of $63,878 ten years after enrollment, with a 87% six-year graduation rate.

Acceptance rate
28.5%
Enrollment
2,175
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
87%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
1350 – 1510
ACT (composite)
30 – 34
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$13,772
family income
$30–48k
$11,982
family income
$48–75k
$11,098
family income
$75–110k
$20,527
family income
$110k+
$44,880
family income
17% receive Pell grants
36% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Macalester College graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Social Sciences
19.1%
Biology
12.9%
Multi/Interdisciplinary
12.1%
Psychology
9.2%
Computer Science
7.6%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$63,878
Earnings (6 yr)
$46,244
Completion
87%
Retention
92%
Median debt
$23,000

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Macalester College?

Macalester College has an acceptance rate of 28.5%, making it selective.

What SAT score do you need for Macalester College?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1350 and 1510 on the SAT. The ACT range is 30–34.

How much does Macalester College actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $13,772 per year, rising to $44,880 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Macalester College?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.