Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN
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Class of 2029
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Key Facts

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    Faculty & Research

    120 faculty · 364 courses · data as of 2026-07-02

    Computer Science43 faculty · 35 courses avg h-index 11.7 #78 of 88 in Computer Science
    Michael Schneider, Professor Emeritus h-index 35
    Notable: “Variables associated with achievement in higher education: A systematic review of meta-analyses.” (2017) · 1,062 citations
    David Bressoud, DeWitt Wallace Professor Emeritus h-index 33
    Notable: “Insights and Recommendations from the MAA National Study of College Calculus” (2015) · 154 citations
    Daniel Kaplan, DeWitt Wallace Professor Emeritus h-index 30
    Notable: “Understanding Nonlinear Dynamics” (1996) · 680 citations
    Shilad Sen, Professor, Chair of Computer Science h-index 23
    Notable: “tagging, communities, vocabulary, evolution” (2006) · 401 citations
    Courses: Introduction to Data Science · Computing and Society · Core Concepts in Computer Science · Object-Oriented Programming and Abstraction · Data Structures · Digital Ethics +29 more
    Biology20 faculty · 39 courses avg h-index 14.7 #51 of 68 in Biology
    Mark Davis, Professor Emeritus h-index 31
    . I taught Ecology, Field Botany, Animal Behavior and Ecology, and Conservation Biology. The best part of teaching at Mac was being able to teach and interact with very smart and very interesting students. One of my great joys was turning s
    Notable: “Cognitive and emotional components of anxiety: Literature review and a revised worry–emotionality scale.” (1981) · 614 citations
    Mary Heskel, Associate Professor and Department Chair h-index 25
    Notable: “Constraints on the evolution of phenotypic plasticity: limits and costs of phenotype and plasticity” (2015) · 681 citations
    Paul Overvoorde, Professor of Biology h-index 22
    Cell and molecular biology, chemical biology, genetics, genome biology, and plant physiology. His research program focuses on elucidating how plant cells perceive and respond to the plant hormone auxin. Grants from the National Science F
    Notable: “Functional Genomic Analysis of theAUXIN RESPONSE FACTORGene Family Members inArabidopsis thaliana: Unique and Overlapping Functions ofARF7andARF19” (2005) · 1,156 citations
    Sarah Boyer, O. T. Walter Professor of Biology h-index 21
    Notable: “Is the 16S–23S rRNA Internal Transcribed Spacer Region a Good Tool for Use in Molecular Systematics and Population Genetics? A Case Study in Cyanobacteria” (2001) · 332 citations
    Courses: Creatures and Curiosities · Biotechnology and Society · Lakes, Streams and Rivers · Plants, Environment, and Society · Women, Health and Reproduction · Ecology and the Environment +33 more
    Economics17 faculty · 40 courses avg h-index 8.4 #88 of 104 in Economics
    Sarah West, G. Theodore Mitau Professor of Economics h-index 16
    Notable: “Open space, residential property values, and spatial context” (2006) · 498 citations
    Liang Ding, Professor of Economics h-index 15
    Es on the impact of market structure and market participants’ behavior on asset prices in financial markets. His most recent research centers on application of market microstructure approach to explain exchange rate dynamics and internation
    Notable: “Exchange rates and oil prices: A multivariate stochastic volatility analysis” (2012) · 128 citations
    Amy Damon, Professor of Economics and Latin American Studies, Economics Department Chair h-index 12
    Notable: “Policies for sustainable development in the hillside areas of Honduras: a quantitative livelihoods approach” (2006) · 193 citations
    Gary J. Krueger, Cargill Professor of International Economics (Emeritus) h-index 12
    Notable: “A Note on Initial Conditions and Liberalization during Transition” (1998) · 108 citations
    Courses: Financial Accounting · Organizational Leadership · Business Negotiations · Principles of Economics · Calculus-Based Principles of Economics · Topics Course +34 more
    Government13 faculty · 40 courses avg h-index 9.4 #74 of 100 in Political Science
    David L. Blaney, G. Theodore Mitau Professor of Political Science (Emeritus) h-index 20
    Notable: “Worlding, Ontological Politics and the Possibility of a Decolonial IR” (2017) · 237 citations
    Julie Dolan, Professor of Political Science h-index 14
    Notable: “The Senior Executive Service: Gender, Attitudes, and Representative Bureaucracy” (2000) · 204 citations
    Patrick Schmidt, Professor of Political Science, Pre-Law Advisor, and Co-Director of Legal Studies h-index 11
    Notable: “Pursuing Regulatory Relief: Strategic Participation and Litigation in U.S. OSHA Rulemaking” (2002) · 46 citations
    Lesley Lavery, Professor of Political Science h-index 10
    Notable: “Uneven Playing Field? Assessing the Teacher Quality Gap Between Advantaged and Disadvantaged Students” (2015) · 343 citations
    Courses: Foundations of US Politics · Foundations of International Politics · Foundations of Comparative Politics · Foundations of Political Theory · Topics Course · Women and American Politics +34 more
    International/Globalization Studies11 faculty · 40 courses avg h-index 6.5
    Ahmed Samatar, James Wallace Professor of International Studies & Chair
    In the areas of leadership and the state in Somalia, and globalization and the rise of Islamic consciousness. In the special commissioned volume of Bildhaan which focuses on the exigencies of transition in Somalia, Samatar’s artic
    Alix Johnson, Assistant Professor of International Studies
    Bill Moseley, Professor
    I have research interests in political ecology, tropical agriculture, environment and development policy, and livelihood security. Most of my fieldwork has been undertaken in West and Southern Africa. My research over the past several years
    David Chioni Moore, Professor, International Studies and English
    Courses: Introduction to International Studies: Globalization - Homogeneity and Heterogeneity · Introduction to International Studies: Literature and Global Culture · Introduction to International Studies: Globalization, Media, and Technology · Introduction to International Studies: Border-crossing in the Age of Globalization · Introduction to International Studies: International Codes of Conduct · Topics Course +34 more
    Psychology11 faculty · 36 courses avg h-index 17 #66 of 89 in Psychology
    Joan Ostrove, Professor of Psychology h-index 25
    Notable: “Socioeconomic Status and Health: What We Know and What We Don't” (1999) · 1,658 citations
    Eric Wiertelak, DeWitt Wallace Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience h-index 25
    Notable: “Characterization of cytokine-induced hyperalgesia” (1994) · 503 citations
    Jaine Strauss, Professor h-index 22
    Ed on strategies and interventions that promote emotional wellbeing. Her projects included investigations of anxiety mindsets, mindfulness, and attitudes about uncertainty as well as explorations of “body talk” conversations, self-control s
    Notable: “Part III. Speculations on the Processes That Underlie Schizophrenic Symptoms and Signs” (1974) · 575 citations
    Steve Guglielmo, Associate Professor of Psychology h-index 13
    Notable: “A Theory of Blame” (2014) · 627 citations
    Courses: Introduction to Psychology · Psychology in the Material World · Topics Course · Research in Psychology I · Educational Psychology · Principles of Learning and Behavior +30 more

    Faculty counts are directory headcounts; the named list may be a subset. h-index shown only for ORCID-backed or high-confidence OpenAlex matches. Partial — enrichment ongoing.

    Demographics

    Student Outcomes

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    About Macalester College. Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN reports an overall acceptance rate of 28.5%, an early-round acceptance rate of 40.0%, an SAT middle 50% of 1360–1490, a class size of 560, and a yield of 22.0% based on the most recent Common Data Set filings. Distinctively international liberal arts college — roughly 15% international students from 90+ countries. Known for civic engagement, strong economics program, and urban Twin Cities location.

    Admissions and cost data as of July 3, 2026 (CDS 2024–25 cycle), from the most recent Common Data Set, IPEDS, and College Scorecard.

    Macalester College: key admissions facts

    Macalester College's overall acceptance rate is 28.5% (the most recent Common Data Set). Macalester College's early-round acceptance rate is 40.0% (the most recent Common Data Set). Macalester College's SAT middle-50% range is 1360–1490 (the most recent Common Data Set). The average unweighted GPA of admitted students at Macalester College is about 3.85 (the most recent Common Data Set). Macalester College's yield rate (the share of admitted students who enroll) is 22.0% (the most recent Common Data Set). The average net price at Macalester College for families earning under $75,000 is about $8,789 per year (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data).

    Sources: Common Data Set (commondataset.org) · Macalester College on College Scorecard · NCES IPEDS · full source table

    How much does Macalester College cost for a family earning $75,000?

    A family earning under $30,000 pays about $4,567 per year in net price at Macalester College, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $48,567 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $14,567 per year after grants and scholarships.

    Macalester College: average annual net price by household income (most recent College Scorecard/IPEDS data)
    Household incomeAverage net price per year
    Under $30,000$4,567
    $30,001–$48,000$7,234
    $48,001–$75,000$14,567
    $75,001–$110,000$28,234
    Over $110,000$48,567
    Tuition (before aid)$70,632
    Room and board$16,476

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the acceptance rate at Macalester College?

    Macalester College's overall acceptance rate is 28.5%, based on the most recent Common Data Set. Its early-round (early decision or early action) acceptance rate is 40.0%.

    What SAT score and GPA do you need for Macalester College?

    Admitted students at Macalester College typically have an SAT middle-50% range of 1360–1490 and an average unweighted GPA of about 3.85, according to the most recent Common Data Set. These are the middle of the range, so scores above them strengthen an application.

    Is it hard to get into Macalester College?

    Getting into Macalester College is difficult: it admits 28.5% of applicants. Your realistic odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to its middle-50% ranges and on your application round — you can estimate them with the free College Monte Carlo chances calculator.

    Does Macalester College offer early decision or early action?

    Macalester College offers early decision (binding) and early action (non-binding). Applying early can help: its early-round acceptance rate is 40.0%, versus 28.5% overall.

    How much does Macalester College cost after financial aid?

    The average net price at Macalester College — the real cost after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price — is about $8,789 per year for families earning under $75,000, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data. Higher-income families generally pay more; see the full net-price-by-income breakdown.

    How much does Macalester College cost for a family earning $75,000?

    A family earning under $30,000 pays about $4,567 per year in net price at Macalester College, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $48,567 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $14,567 per year after grants and scholarships.

    Not sure how to read these numbers? Start with our guide on how to estimate your admission chances. Macalester College offers a binding early-decision round, so weigh the trade-offs in our early decision vs. regular decision guide before committing.