Macalester College Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Key Highlights
Admission Scores
SAT Scores
| Section | 25th percentile | 50th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 680 | 720 | 750 |
| Math | 670 | 720 | 760 |
ACT Scores
| Section | 25th percentile | 50th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 30 | 32 | 34 |
| English | 30 | 34 | 35 |
| Math | 27 | 29 | 32 |
Scores of first-year students who entered in fall 2024 and submitted them, as Macalester College reported to the U.S. Department of Education. The middle 50% scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles.
Admission Requirements
Your cumulative high school grade point average.
Your transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.
Your ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.
Completion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.
Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.
A personal statement or essay written for your application.
SAT or ACT scores.
Other admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.
Evidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.
Paid or volunteer work.
Whether a parent or other relative attended the college.
As Macalester College reported to the U.S. Department of Education in its fall 2024 admissions data. Admission requirements may vary by program and applicant type. Always check the official Macalester College admissions page for the most current requirements and deadlines.
Credit Options
AP Credit
AvailableTransfer Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores for college credit.
Life Experience Credit
Not AvailableReceive credit for knowledge gained through work, military service, or other life experiences.
As Macalester College reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. Credit policies and limits vary by department. Contact the Macalester College admissions office or registrar for specific credit transfer policies and maximum credit allowances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Macalester College doesn't require a high school GPA for admission but considers one if submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and we haven't found one published by Macalester College itself, so we don't list an average GPA.
Macalester College's acceptance rate was 29% for fall 2024: it admitted 2,558 of 8,968 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS).
The middle 50% of Macalester College's fall 2024 first-year students who submitted SAT scores (29% of them) scored 680–750 in Reading and Writing and 670–760 in Math. The median scores were 720 (Reading and Writing) and 720 (Math).
The middle 50% of Macalester College's fall 2024 first-year students who submitted ACT scores (23% of them) had composite scores of 30–34, with a median of 32.
Yes. Macalester College awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
In 2022–23, first-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $38,571 a year at Macalester College, according to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS). Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25. College Navigator: Macalester College
- Average SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release). College Scorecard data