Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota · Private
Macalester College admitted 28% of 8,819 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1350–1480 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 90% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Macalester College
Enter a score to see whether Macalester College is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (28%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
Macalester College’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 1, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 1, 2027
- Early action
- November 1, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 15, 2027
The application is free. Macalester College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check Macalester College’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 42% (201 of 479), compared with 28% for all applicants.
Macalester College offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
765 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 446 took it, and 82 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Macalester College rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
Important
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Character
Considered
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Interview
- Talent or ability
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Not considered
- Religion
What it costs
Full price with housing is $82,991 a year. After grants, students paid $38,571 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is Macalester College’s acceptance rate?
Macalester College admitted 28% of applicants: 2,481 of 8,819 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is Macalester College’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 1, 2026, early decision II is due January 1, 2027, early action is due November 1, 2026, and regular decision is due January 15, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for Macalester College?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1350 to 1480, with a median around 1420. A score at or above 1420 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is Macalester College’s application fee?
The application is free for 2026–27.
What does Macalester College require?
Besides the application and transcript, Macalester College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school.
Does Macalester College have supplemental essays?
Yes. For 2026–27, Macalester College asks 2 questions of its own on top of the main essay (both optional, up to 300 words each). Its supplemental essays page lists each one word for word with the word limit.
Does Macalester College require the CSS Profile?
Yes. Macalester College uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
Not sure which colleges fit?
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Writing your essays? See Macalester College’s supplemental essays and get a free essay review.