Macalester College
Macalester College's main campus is an urban setting in Saint Paul, Minnesota, close to both residential areas and the city's amenities. Students are drawn to Macalester's focus on internationalism and multiculturalism, creating a diverse and engaged student body. The college maintains the Ordway Field Station, a large natural area used for research and outdoor learning, located a short distance from the main campus. Students can choose from a variety of majors, minors, and concentrations, or even design their own course of study.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Macalester College's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 17% of students receive Pell Grants; 37% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $21,441, roughly 67% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $12,877 | $51,508 |
| $30K – $48K | $11,441 | $45,764 |
| $48K – $75K | $13,050 | $52,200 |
| $75K – $110K | $26,584 | $106,336 |
| $110K+ | $43,253 | $173,012 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $64,908 | $259,632 |
Programs at Macalester College
11 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences, General Compare across schools → |
77
|
$81,964/yr | Very High | 3.7x |
| Economics Compare across schools → |
65
|
$59,752/yr | Very High | 2.7x |
| Mathematics Compare across schools → |
51
|
$57,166/yr | Very High | 1.9x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology Compare across schools → |
38
|
$38,027/yr | High | 0.5x |
|
Political Science
Political Science and Government Compare across schools → |
35
|
$39,439/yr | Very High | 1.1x |
|
Neuroscience
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Compare across schools → |
34
|
$45,450/yr | High | 0.8x |
|
Biology
Biology, General Compare across schools → |
31
|
$35,616/yr | High | 1.6x |
| Geography and Cartography Compare across schools → |
23
|
$30,053/yr | High | 1.2x |
|
Natural Resources & Conservation Research
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools → |
21
|
$29,559/yr | High | 0.1x |
|
Rhetoric & Writing
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Compare across schools → |
21
|
$29,487/yr | Very High | 0.1x |
|
International Studies
International/Global Studies Compare across schools → |
9
|
$21,176/yr | Moderate | 1.0x |
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