Macalester College
Macalester College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Macalester College at a Glance
Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1874, Macalester is exclusively an undergraduate institution with an enrollment of 2,068 students in the fall of 2025. The college has Scottish and Presbyterian roots and emphasizes internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society.
1874
152 years old
$922M
$921.6 million (2025)
2,068
188
53 acres
Identity
Is Macalester College Worth It?
Macalester College offers moderate value at $32,149/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $63,878, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 89% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 29% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Macalester College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 29 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carleton College | 67 | $25,407 | $75,525 |
| #2 | Trinity University | 63 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| #3 | University of Richmond | 53 | $31,309 | $76,178 |
| #4 | Smith College | 52 | $27,579 | $64,027 |
| #5 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
| #6 | Mount Holyoke College | 47 | $26,441 | $58,418 |
| #8 | Macalester College | 44 | $32,149 | $63,878 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Macalester College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MN.
Best Programs at Macalester College
The highest-earning program at Macalester College is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $64,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Geography and Cartography at $21,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Macalester College earns $64,600, while a Geography and Cartography graduate earns $21,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $22,491 in median debt vs. $21,164 for Geography and Cartography.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $32,149/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,600 | $64,600 | $22,491 |
| Economics | $61,300 | $61,300 | $16,484 |
| Mathematics | $57,300 | $57,300 | $19,828 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,700 | $34,700 | $19,365 |
| Psychology, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $19,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $22,000 |
| International/Global Studies | $21,500 | $21,500 | $19,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $21,200 | $21,200 | $21,164 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Paul, MN
- Student Body
- 2,131 students
- Admission Rate
- 29%
- Graduation Rate
- 89%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $32,149
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,878
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000