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Macalester College

Macalester College is a private campus in Saint Paul proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The school reports a Presbyterian Church (USA) affiliation in its federal filings.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$12,877
family income
under $30k
$11,441
$30–48k
$13,050
$48–75k
$26,584
$75–110k
$43,253
over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$32,1492023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$23k$25k$28k$30k$33k200820232008: $23,4302009: $21,5892010: $22,2712011: $23,5402012: $22,6532013: $25,9542014: $24,9342015: $27,0042016: $26,8652017: $25,7832018: $28,4262019: $27,7642020: $23,1882021: $29,6972022: $29,9802023: $32,149$32,149
$25k$30k200820232008: $23,4302009: $21,5892010: $22,2712011: $23,5402012: $22,6532013: $25,9542014: $24,9342015: $27,0042016: $26,8652017: $25,7832018: $28,4262019: $27,7642020: $23,1882021: $29,6972022: $29,9802023: $32,149$32,149

Average net price at Macalester College rose from $23,430 (2008) to $32,149 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$23,430
2009$21,589
2010$22,271
2011$23,540
2012$22,653
2013$25,954
2014$24,934
2015$27,004
2016$26,865
2017$25,783
2018$28,426
2019$27,764
2020$23,188
2021$29,697
2022$29,980
2023$32,149
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$82,9912024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$50k$60k$70k$80k200920242009: $46,7302010: $48,7422011: $50,9842012: $53,3152013: $55,3932014: $57,4782015: $59,7432016: $61,8532017: $64,0072018: $66,2802019: $68,6272020: $71,0532021: $73,7712022: $76,3572023: $78,9002024: $82,991$82,991
$60k$80k200920242009: $46,7302010: $48,7422011: $50,9842012: $53,3152013: $55,3932014: $57,4782015: $59,7432016: $61,8532017: $64,0072018: $66,2802019: $68,6272020: $71,0532021: $73,7712022: $76,3572023: $78,9002024: $82,991$82,991

Total cost at Macalester College rose from $46,730 (2009) to $82,991 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$46,730
2010$48,742
2011$50,984
2012$53,315
2013$55,393
2014$57,478
2015$59,743
2016$61,853
2017$64,007
2018$66,280
2019$68,627
2020$71,053
2021$73,771
2022$76,357
2023$78,900
2024$82,991
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

$20k$40k$60k200020232000: $21,6142001: $22,4802002: $23,7722003: $25,0882004: $26,8062005: $28,6422006: $30,8702007: $33,6942008: $36,5042013: $45,3882014: $47,1952015: $48,8872016: $50,6392017: $52,4642018: $54,3442019: $56,2922020: $58,4782021: $60,5182022: $62,5002023: $64,908$64,908
$20k$40k$60k200020232000: $21,6142001: $22,4802002: $23,7722003: $25,0882004: $26,8062005: $28,6422006: $30,8702007: $33,6942008: $36,5042013: $45,3882014: $47,1952015: $48,8872016: $50,6392017: $52,4642018: $54,3442019: $56,2922020: $58,4782021: $60,5182022: $62,5002023: $64,908$64,908

Tuition & fees — data
YearTuition & fees
2000$21,614
2001$22,480
2002$23,772
2003$25,088
2004$26,806
2005$28,642
2006$30,870
2007$33,694
2008$36,504
2013$45,388
2014$47,195
2015$48,887
2016$50,639
2017$52,464
2018$54,344
2019$56,292
2020$58,478
2021$60,518
2022$62,500
2023$64,908
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Macalester College reports published tuition of $68,104 in this record. Macalester College's $68,104 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Macalester College reports 2,131 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

87.1% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Macalester College within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
87.1%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

75%80%85%90%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 79.2%entered 1992: 78.1%entered 1993: 76.5%entered 1994: 77.4%entered 1995: 79.9%entered 1996: 82.5%entered 1997: 81.8%entered 1998: 81.3%entered 1999: 84.8%entered 2000: 85.5%entered 2001: 86.1%entered 2002: 87.3%entered 2003: 86%entered 2004: 87.6%entered 2005: 87.2%entered 2006: 89.8%entered 2007: 87.4%entered 2008: 90.2%entered 2009: 89.5%entered 2010: 88.2%entered 2011: 87.2%entered 2012: 89.5%entered 2013: 90.8%entered 2014: 92.6%entered 2015: 89.7%entered 2016: 87.9%entered 2017: 90.4%entered 2018: 87.1%87.1%
75%80%85%90%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 79.2%entered 1992: 78.1%entered 1993: 76.5%entered 1994: 77.4%entered 1995: 79.9%entered 1996: 82.5%entered 1997: 81.8%entered 1998: 81.3%entered 1999: 84.8%entered 2000: 85.5%entered 2001: 86.1%entered 2002: 87.3%entered 2003: 86%entered 2004: 87.6%entered 2005: 87.2%entered 2006: 89.8%entered 2007: 87.4%entered 2008: 90.2%entered 2009: 89.5%entered 2010: 88.2%entered 2011: 87.2%entered 2012: 89.5%entered 2013: 90.8%entered 2014: 92.6%entered 2015: 89.7%entered 2016: 87.9%entered 2017: 90.4%entered 2018: 87.1%87.1%

The six-year graduation rate at Macalester College rose from 79.2% (entered 1991) to 87.1% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort79.2%
1992 cohort78.1%
1993 cohort76.5%
1994 cohort77.4%
1995 cohort79.9%
1996 cohort82.5%
1997 cohort81.8%
1998 cohort81.3%
1999 cohort84.8%
2000 cohort85.5%
2001 cohort86.1%
2002 cohort87.3%
2003 cohort86%
2004 cohort87.6%
2005 cohort87.2%
2006 cohort89.8%
2007 cohort87.4%
2008 cohort90.2%
2009 cohort89.5%
2010 cohort88.2%
2011 cohort87.2%
2012 cohort89.5%
2013 cohort90.8%
2014 cohort92.6%
2015 cohort89.7%
2016 cohort87.9%
2017 cohort90.4%
2018 cohort87.1%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$5k$10k$15k$20k$25kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $11,525Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $11,473Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $10,756Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,400Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $12,355Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,700Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $11,800Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $12,675Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,761Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,192Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $15,250Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $19,396Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $20,276Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $22,489Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,499Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $22,664Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $21,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $21,231Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $22,500Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,000$23,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $2,625Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $2,625Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $4,466Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $4,703Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $5,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $5,576Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $5,247Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,154Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $10,250Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $9,258Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $11,945Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $7,990Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,071Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $8,750$8,750 left
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $11,525Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $11,473Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $10,756Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,400Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $12,355Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,700Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $11,800Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $12,675Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,761Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,192Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $15,250Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $19,396Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $20,276Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $22,489Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,499Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $22,664Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $21,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $20,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $21,231Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $22,500Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,000$23,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $2,625Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $2,625Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $4,466Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $4,703Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $5,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $5,576Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $5,247Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,154Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $10,250Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $9,258Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $11,945Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $7,990Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,071Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $8,750$8,750 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)$11,525$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$11,473$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$11,000$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$10,756$4,466
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$11,400$4,703
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$12,355$5,125
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$11,700$5,576
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$11,800$5,247
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$12,675$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$13,761$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$14,192$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$15,250$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$17,125$9,154
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$19,396$10,250
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$20,276$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$22,489$9,258
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$23,250$11,945
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$23,499$11,750
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$22,664$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$21,500$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$20,500$7,990
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$21,231$8,071
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$22,500$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$23,000$8,750
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$46,244
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$57,106
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$63,878
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Macalester College admitted 2,558 of 8,968 applicants in Fall 2024. The 28.5% rate describes that application pool.

28.5%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$64,908 tuition · 2023–242,131 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1350–15101600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Macalester College reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Macalester College’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 680–750 and Math was 670–760 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1350–1510 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing680720750
SAT Math670720760
ACT Composite303234

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Macalester College received 8,968 applications and admitted 2,558 (28.5%), with 560 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

28.5%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

30%40%50%200120242001: 53%2002: 44.3%2003: 44.2%2004: 38.7%2005: 43.9%2006: 39%2007: 40.6%2008: 41.1%2009: 46.2%2010: 42.5%2011: 35%2012: 36.7%2013: 34.2%2014: 36.4%2015: 39%2016: 37.1%2017: 40.6%2018: 41.2%2019: 32.3%2020: 38.7%2021: 31.3%2022: 28.4%2023: 28.2%2024: 28.5%28.5%
30%40%50%200120242001: 53%2002: 44.3%2003: 44.2%2004: 38.7%2005: 43.9%2006: 39%2007: 40.6%2008: 41.1%2009: 46.2%2010: 42.5%2011: 35%2012: 36.7%2013: 34.2%2014: 36.4%2015: 39%2016: 37.1%2017: 40.6%2018: 41.2%2019: 32.3%2020: 38.7%2021: 31.3%2022: 28.4%2023: 28.2%2024: 28.5%28.5%

The share admitted at Macalester College declined from 53% to 28.5%; this does not establish why. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200153%
Fall 200244.3%
Fall 200344.2%
Fall 200438.7%
Fall 200543.9%
Fall 200639%
Fall 200740.6%
Fall 200841.1%
Fall 200946.2%
Fall 201042.5%
Fall 201135%
Fall 201236.7%
Fall 201334.2%
Fall 201436.4%
Fall 201539%
Fall 201637.1%
Fall 201740.6%
Fall 201841.2%
Fall 201932.3%
Fall 202038.7%
Fall 202131.3%
Fall 202228.4%
Fall 202328.2%
Fall 202428.5%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1350–1510Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA12001300140015002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12402002: 12302003: 12702004: 12602005: 12602006: 12602007: 12502008: 12702009: 12902010: 12602011: 12802012: 12702013: 12302014: 12702015: 12402016: 12602017: 13002018: 13102019: 13202020: 12802021: 13402022: 13402023: 13502024: 135013502001: 14302002: 14302003: 14302004: 14502005: 14502006: 14502007: 14402008: 14502009: 14502010: 14502011: 14502012: 14702013: 14502014: 14652015: 14702016: 14902017: 14802018: 15002019: 15102020: 14502021: 15152022: 15002023: 15102024: 15101510
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA12001300140015002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12402002: 12302003: 12702004: 12602005: 12602006: 12602007: 12502008: 12702009: 12902010: 12602011: 12802012: 12702013: 12302014: 12702015: 12402016: 12602017: 13002018: 13102019: 13202020: 12802021: 13402022: 13402023: 13502024: 135013502001: 14302002: 14302003: 14302004: 14502005: 14502006: 14502007: 14402008: 14502009: 14502010: 14502011: 14502012: 14702013: 14502014: 14652015: 14702016: 14902017: 14802018: 15002019: 15102020: 14502021: 15152022: 15002023: 15102024: 15101510

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200112401430
Fall 200212301430
Fall 200312701430
Fall 200412601450
Fall 200512601450
Fall 200612601450
Fall 200712501440
Fall 200812701450
Fall 200912901450
Fall 201012601450
Fall 201112801450
Fall 201212701470
Fall 201312301450
Fall 201412701465
Fall 201512401470
Fall 201612601490
Fall 201713001480
Fall 201813101500
Fall 201913201510
Fall 202012801450
Fall 202113401515
Fall 202213401500
Fall 202313501510
Fall 202413501510
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

30–34Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA28303234200320242003: 282004: 282005: 282006: 272007: 282008: 282009: 292010: 282011: 282012: 282013: 292014: 282015: 292016: 292017: 292018: 292019: 292020: 292021: 292022: 302023: 302024: 30302003: 312004: 322005: 322006: 322007: 322008: 322009: 322010: 322011: 322012: 322013: 322014: 322015: 322016: 332017: 322018: 332019: 332020: 332021: 332022: 342023: 332024: 3434
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA30200320242003: 282004: 282005: 282006: 272007: 282008: 282009: 292010: 282011: 282012: 282013: 292014: 282015: 292016: 292017: 292018: 292019: 292020: 292021: 292022: 302023: 302024: 30302003: 312004: 322005: 322006: 322007: 322008: 322009: 322010: 322011: 322012: 322013: 322014: 322015: 322016: 332017: 322018: 332019: 332020: 332021: 332022: 342023: 332024: 3434

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20032831
Fall 20042832
Fall 20052832
Fall 20062732
Fall 20072832
Fall 20082832
Fall 20092932
Fall 20102832
Fall 20112832
Fall 20122832
Fall 20132932
Fall 20142832
Fall 20152932
Fall 20162933
Fall 20172932
Fall 20182933
Fall 20192933
Fall 20202933
Fall 20212933
Fall 20223034
Fall 20233033
Fall 20243034
IPEDS Fall 2003–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

2,131Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

2k2k2k200220242002: 1,8092003: 1,8492004: 1,8672005: 1,8432006: 1,9042007: 1,9072008: 1,8712009: 1,9652010: 2,0052011: 1,9882012: 2,0472013: 2,0292014: 2,0532015: 2,1492016: 2,1222017: 2,1162018: 2,1602019: 2,0792020: 2,0492021: 2,2352022: 2,1642023: 2,1312024: 2,1312,131
2k2k2k200220242002: 1,8092003: 1,8492004: 1,8672005: 1,8432006: 1,9042007: 1,9072008: 1,8712009: 1,9652010: 2,0052011: 1,9882012: 2,0472013: 2,0292014: 2,0532015: 2,1492016: 2,1222017: 2,1162018: 2,1602019: 2,0792020: 2,0492021: 2,2352022: 2,1642023: 2,1312024: 2,1312,131

Undergraduate enrollment at Macalester College rose from 1,809 (Fall 2002) to 2,131 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 20021,809
Fall 20031,849
Fall 20041,867
Fall 20051,843
Fall 20061,904
Fall 20071,907
Fall 20081,871
Fall 20091,965
Fall 20102,005
Fall 20111,988
Fall 20122,047
Fall 20132,029
Fall 20142,053
Fall 20152,149
Fall 20162,122
Fall 20172,116
Fall 20182,160
Fall 20192,079
Fall 20202,049
Fall 20212,235
Fall 20222,164
Fall 20232,131
Fall 20242,131
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

92%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

90%92%94%96%200220232002: 92%2003: 93%2004: 93%2005: 93%2006: 94%2007: 92%2008: 94%2009: 96%2010: 94%2011: 94%2012: 95%2013: 94%2014: 95%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 96%2018: 93%2019: 90%2020: 96%2021: 91%2022: 95%2023: 92%92%
90%92%94%96%200220232002: 92%2003: 93%2004: 93%2005: 93%2006: 94%2007: 92%2008: 94%2009: 96%2010: 94%2011: 94%2012: 95%2013: 94%2014: 95%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 96%2018: 93%2019: 90%2020: 96%2021: 91%2022: 95%2023: 92%92%

First-year retention at Macalester College has held near 92% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort92%
Fall 2003 cohort93%
Fall 2004 cohort93%
Fall 2005 cohort93%
Fall 2006 cohort94%
Fall 2007 cohort92%
Fall 2008 cohort94%
Fall 2009 cohort96%
Fall 2010 cohort94%
Fall 2011 cohort94%
Fall 2012 cohort95%
Fall 2013 cohort94%
Fall 2014 cohort95%
Fall 2015 cohort93%
Fall 2016 cohort93%
Fall 2017 cohort96%
Fall 2018 cohort93%
Fall 2019 cohort90%
Fall 2020 cohort96%
Fall 2021 cohort91%
Fall 2022 cohort95%
Fall 2023 cohort92%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about Macalester College

Faculty pay at Macalester College averages $143,412 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Macalester College as a primarily residential campus of 2,131 undergraduates — and 92.3% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Macalester College's SAT section-percentile sums are 1350–1510 — their midpoint is above the MN four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Macalester College's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Macalester College compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Macalester College28.5%
Minnesota median85.4%
National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Macalester College$68,104
Minnesota median$22,520
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Macalester College's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Macalester College$63,878
Minnesota median$58,351
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Macalester College, Minnesota and national reference values
Metric & basisMacalester CollegeMinnesota medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS28.5%85.4%76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$68,104$22,520$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$63,878$58,351$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Macalester College, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Macalester College federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 8 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer and Information Sciences, General$109,457
Mathematics$91,979
Economics$85,593
Political Science and Government$58,555
Biology, General$56,141
International/Globalization Studies$56,091
Geography and Cartography$52,557
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$45,632

These 8 fields listed for Macalester College measure earnings after completion. The $63,878 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 30 additional Macalester College fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Macalester College report?

Macalester College's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1350–1510 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Macalester College's acceptance rate?

28.5% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 2,558 admitted from 8,968 applicants.

How much does Macalester College cost?

At Macalester College, tuition is $68,104. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Macalester College report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $63,878. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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