CollegeLister
For counselors

Macalester College

Macalester College is a private nonprofit college in a large city in the Minneapolis, MN metro with 2,142 students and a 29% acceptance rate.

Saint Paul, Minnesota · Private nonprofit · City, large · 2,142 students

NCAA Division III · Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceEarly action Nov 1

Admission rate

29%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,440

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

30–33

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$32,149

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

87%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

95%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$63,878

10 years after entry

Students

2,142

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadlineDecision by
Early action
Apply early, hear early, not binding.		November 1, 2026December 19, 2026
Early decision
Apply early, hear early, and you must enroll if admitted. Binding.		November 1, 2026December 6, 2026
Early decision II
A second, later early decision round. Also binding.		January 1, 2027January 31, 2027

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: macalester.edu · checked September 19, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, all students, by family income

$0–30,000$13,772
$30,001–48,000$11,982
$48,001–75,000$11,098
$75,001–110,000$20,527
Over $110,000$44,880

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other47
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics46
Biology/Biological Sciences43
Computer and Information Sciences39
Political Science and Government33
Mathematics27
International/Globalization Studies25
Neuroscience23
Show the other 31 majors
Environmental Studies22
Geography and Environmental Studies21
History17
Sociology14
Fine/Studio Arts13
English Language and Literature13
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies11
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia10
Creative Writing10
Music9
Physics8
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics8
Spanish Language and Literature8
Linguistics7
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other7
Chemistry7
Philosophy6
Geology/Earth Science6
Chinese Language and Literature5
Anthropology5
Computational Science4
Asian Studies/Civilization3
German Language and Literature3
Religion/Religious Studies3
Women's Studies2
Japanese Language and Literature2
French Language and Literature2
Art History, Criticism and Conservation1
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other1
Russian Language and Literature1
Latin American Studies1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division III, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division III, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball, Water Polo

ROTC

Air Force, Army, Navy

Faith groups

Cru, Hillel, Newman Connection

Also

Study abroad

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), connection.newmanministry.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

City, large

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

3,757,952 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

Yes

More about the place

Nearest airport

Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain (MSP)

Nearest hub airport

Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain (MSP)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 16.7 of 20

Elevation

948 ft

Time zone

Central

January low

7°F

July high

82°F

Annual snowfall

40.4 in

Days at 90°F or higher

8 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,370 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Private nonprofit, city campus, NCAA Division III, similar size