Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$35,589
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$16,811
$30k - $48k
$19,129
$48k - $75k
$14,304
$75k - $110k
$23,994
$110k+
$36,798
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$62,500
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$62,500
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$14,000
Books and Supplies
$853
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
99%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$35,464
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,935
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$34,120
Students receiving state aid
6%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4,968
Students receiving federal aid
18%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,935
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$57,127
$30k - $48k
$60,510
$48k - $75k
$55,100
$75k - $110k
$47,444
$110k+
$27,851
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$67,584,512
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$9,915,968

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
50%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,223
Students receiving federal loans
42%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,812
Average Other Loans Per Year
$4,398
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$19,473
Loan Default Rate
1%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$203

What Students Are Saying

If you need the money, Macalester will give it to you. We are one of the few colleges that give 100% aid based on your need, but don't figure that need into the application process. Mac is not only worth it academically, but the social experience you will receive here is something you'd have a hard time finding somewhere else. Though, again, Mac is really not that expensive if you can't afford it to be. A lot of my friends going to community college are paying WAY more than I am paying at Mac.
Rowan from Finlayson, MN
Macalester is one of the more expensive schools in the state, but they are very good at helping students pay for their school. The money I've paid is far and away worth it. Mac has given me opportunities that I don't know I'd get elsewhere. I figured out my major and career plan due to excellent professors in the biology department, I'm conducting summer research with a professor and getting paid for it, and I'll be studying abroad conducting independent research in Costa Rica next spring. Had I gone to a different school all this might not have happened, so yes, Mac has much bang for the buck.
Joseph from Spring Park, MN
Macalester degrees are known worldwide - but that doesn't mean that you're going to get a job right out of college. If you're planning on going to graduate school, this is a good choice for you. If you just want a four-year degree to increase your potential salary and benefits...go someplace else.
Savannah from Tucson, AZ
Private school can cost a lot (usually in the form of loans) but Macalester is committed to meeting the financial need of all its students, so for low-income folks, it can be a good deal. It's a great school academically, but not necessarily the path to the highest paid positions.
Sarah
it's considered a hidden ivy.
McKinley from Sandstone, MN
Financial aid is a huge reason that I am here. It covers up to 100% of a student's need. The only loans you should have to take out would be from the government. Financial aid office is really nice and helpful.
Anne T.
Macalester is one of THE MOST expensive schools in the country, but I received a very, very, very generous financial aid package and it ended up costing less than any of the other 17 schools I applied to, and all of them had lower tuition-room-board-other expenses. It depends on your specific financial situation, but I found the people/faculty at Macalester to be really helpful and CARING! I am so excited! I will graduate with under $10,000 in debt. I hardly have to pay a thing! (College is still expensive.)
Marijo from Mahtomedi, MN
While Mac is not a cheap school, my financial aid package was very beneficial and largely comprised of grant money.
Inga from Bemidji, MN