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Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN, USA
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Situated within the vibrant city of St. Paul, Macalester College offers an urban campus with a mix of architectural styles and inviting green spaces. Take a virtual tour to experience its dynamic urban setting!

Macalester College competes in NCAA Division III athletics as a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). The Macalester Scots field competitive teams in a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball, and swimming. The college's athletic facilities, such as the Leonard Center, provide modern venues for both athletes and spectators. Macalester has a strong athletic tradition, with notable success in soccer and cross country. The college also offers a wide range of intramural and club sports, ensuring that all students have opportunities to stay active and engaged in athletics.

Midwest, Small City: Macalester College is located in the urban setting of St. Paul, offering a diverse and vibrant campus life within a major metropolitan area, fostering strong community connections and opportunities.

For the most accurate and up-to-date cost of attendance, please click the link below!
Macalester College has around 65% of students receiving financial aid. Macalester offers scholarships like the Catherine Lealtad Scholarships for academic excellence, and the Bonner Scholars Program recognizing community engagement. It meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.


Discover your niche in the arts at Macalester. Imagine yourself performing Indonesian Gamelan music, taking a hip-hop dance class, or learning metalworking at the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center. Macalester College offers robust Fine and Performing Arts programs through its Departments of Art and Art History, Music, and Theatre and Dance. Students can pursue majors in Studio Art, Art History, Music, and Theatre. The Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center houses state-of-the-art facilities for all arts disciplines, including the Joan Adams Mondale Hall of Studio Art and the Mairs Concert Hall. Macalester's proximity to the Twin Cities allows for unique opportunities to engage with world-class arts institutions. The college hosts numerous arts events throughout the year, including theatrical productions, concerts, and art exhibitions. Students can also participate in various arts-related clubs and ensembles, such as the Macalester Orchestra and the Scotch Tape a cappella group. Macalester offers avenues for artistic exploration with open studios, a focus on community arts events, and proximity to the dynamic arts scene of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Macalester College does not have a traditional Greek Life system. Instead, the college offers a wide range of student organizations and clubs that provide opportunities for social engagement, leadership development, and community service.

Macalester College places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, offering numerous internship opportunities through its Career Development Center. The college's location in the Twin Cities provides students with access to internships in various industries, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and government agencies. Macalester's Internship Grant Program provides funding for students to pursue otherwise unpaid internships. The college also offers academic credit for qualifying internships, allowing students to gain practical experience while progressing towards their degree.

Macalester College offers over 60 areas of study, providing a wide range of academic options. Popular majors include Economics, Political Science, Biology, and International Studies. The college also offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Community and Global Health and Human Rights and Humanitarianism. Students typically declare their major by the end of their sophomore year. Macalester also provides the option for students to design their own interdisciplinary major, allowing for a highly personalized academic experience. For a full list of academic programs, click the link below.

A college campus might lean a certain way politically, but the surrounding community can have a very different cultural and political vibe. Exploring the area beyond campus can give you a better picture of the local political landscape. Use the link below to research the location of any college you're considering.

Macalester College offers undergraduate research opportunities that allow students to engage in hands-on, faculty-mentored research projects. Students can participate in research through programs such as the Student-Faculty Research Collaboration (SFRC) and the Macalester Academic Excellence (MAX) Program. Macalester emphasizes a global perspective in research, with opportunities for students to conduct research both locally and abroad. Participating in research at Macalester can help students develop research skills, gain valuable experience in their field, and prepare for post-graduate studies or careers in research.

Feeling safe on campus matters—it helps you focus on your studies, make new friends, and enjoy college life without constant worry. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you and your family can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus is important—it allows you to focus on your studies, make friends, and enjoy college life without unnecessary stress. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus is important—it allows you to focus on your studies, make friends, and enjoy college life without unnecessary stress. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus is important—it allows you to focus on your studies, make friends, and enjoy college life without unnecessary stress. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus matters—it helps you focus on your studies, make new friends, and enjoy college life without constant worry. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you and your family can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus matters—it helps you focus on your studies, make new friends, and enjoy college life without constant worry. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you and your family can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus matters—it helps you focus on your studies, make new friends, and enjoy college life without constant worry. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you and your family can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus is important—it allows you to focus on your studies, make friends, and enjoy college life without unnecessary stress. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus is important—it allows you to focus on your studies, make friends, and enjoy college life without unnecessary stress. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you can feel confident in your choice.
Feeling safe on campus is important—it allows you to focus on your studies, make friends, and enjoy college life without unnecessary stress. Look for schools with strong safety measures so you can feel confident in your choice.

Macalester College is a small school with 2200 undergraduate students on campus.

Macalester College boasts over 100 student-led organizations, catering to a wide range of interests. These include academic clubs, cultural organizations, service groups, and recreational clubs. The Macalester College Student Government (MCSG) provides leadership opportunities and advocates for student interests. The college's Program Board organizes various campus events, including concerts, speakers, and film screenings. Macalester's location in the Twin Cities allows for unique off-campus experiences and cultural excursions.

White students are the majority at Macalaster (around 56%), followed by a notable population of Asian students (around 10%). International students comprise a significant percentage of the student body (around 15%). Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American populations are smaller. Geographically, Macalester enrolls a national student body, with a strong Midwestern presence.

Macalester College offers a variety of housing options to accommodate students throughout their academic journey. First-year students are required to live on campus and are typically housed in traditional residence halls. Upper-class students have additional options, including language houses, cultural houses, and apartment-style living. The college has a two-year residency requirement, fostering a strong on-campus community. Macalester's dining services provide diverse meal options across multiple locations on campus. The main dining hall, Café Mac, offers a wide array of cuisines, including vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free choices. For quick bites between classes, students can visit the Grille or the Loch, a student-run coffee shop. Macalester is committed to sustainability in its dining operations, sourcing local ingredients when possible and implementing composting programs. The college offers flexible meal plans tailored to different student needs and preferences. Macalester's dining services have received high marks for quality and variety, contributing to the overall positive campus experience.

Macalester College offers a diverse range of academic programs, with over 60 areas of study across multiple disciplines. Students can choose from traditional fields like Mathematics and Psychology, as well as unique programs such as Critical Theory or Food, Agriculture & Society. Macalester encourages academic exploration, allowing students to declare their major by the end of their sophomore year. The college also offers interdisciplinary programs and the option to create an individually designed major, providing flexibility for students with diverse academic interests. Macalester's curriculum emphasizes global perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches, preparing students for a complex and interconnected world. For a full list of academic programs, click the link below.


Macalester College offers a robust financial aid program, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. They have several scholarships specifically for first-generation and low-income students, including the Davis United World College Scholars Program and the QuestBridge National College Match program. The college also provides support services like the TRIO Student Support Services program, which helps first-generation and low-income students succeed academically and personally.

Are you curious about admission data at this school? Check it out, but remember that you are so much more than a number.

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