Macalester College Guide
Overview of this St. Paul, Minnesota Liberal Arts College
If you're looking for a political active, urban liberal arts college with an outstanding academic reputation, check out Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.
Where is Macalester College? Mac, as it is called by its students, is located in west-central St. Paul, MN. It's surrounded by an older and charming residential neighborhood, and it borders Grand Avenue, a funky street filled with eclectic shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. It's a short drive or bus ride away from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, and students can take advantage of Twin Cities cultural attractions and the Mall of America (although many liberal Mac students wouldn't dream of shopping in that den of capitalism). It's an urban campus, but a quieter sort of urban.
What basic information should I know about Macalester?
- Enrollment: 1,905 students
- Type of school: Liberal arts college
- Student/faculty ratio: 11:1
- Tuition: With room, board, and fees, about $42,000 annually
What's life at Macalester like?
- Macalester is a first rate liberal arts college for serious students. U.S. News and World Report ranks it 24th out of 215 liberal arts colleges in the U.S., and it's generally seen as one of the best liberal arts schools in the Midwest. Two-thirds of all students graduated in the top 10% of their graduating high school classes, and only about 39% of students who apply are admitted. Students are ready for a challenge and are displeased with instructors who are too easy.
- Macalester is a very politically active school, and most faculty and students veer proudly to the left. The Princeton Review ranks Macalester third on the list of "Most Politically Active" schools in the U.S., and thirteenth in the "Most Nostalgic for Bill Clinton" category. Many students are actively involved with campus and local politics.
- Mac prides itself as being a diverse and international place. International students comprise about 11% of the population.and students of color make up about 17% (which is very high for a Minnesota school). International and multicultural organizations and activities are common on campus.
- As is typical of a liberal arts college, Macalester students get quite a bit of attention from their professors. Class discussions are very common.
- The majority of students at Macalester study abroad for at least a semester and participate in some kind of community service.
- Mac was founded with the support of the Presbyterian Church, but has always been sectarian. It maintains a strong relationship with the church and has a full-time Presbyterian chaplain on campus (along with Catholic and Jewish clergy).
- Mac is right on a major bus line, so it's very easy to get around. Students can easily get by without a vehicle.
What areas of study is Macalester best known for? The International Studies major is well-known. Other top programs include psychology, political science, and mathematics & computer science.
What's special about Macalester? Macalester is very highly ranked in The Princeton Review's rankings and lists. Here's how Mac scored:
- #1 in "Best Quality of Life"
- #1 in "Gay Community Accepted here"
- #5 in "Lots of Race/Class Interaction"
- #9 in "Great College Towns"
- #13 in "Diverse Student Population"
- #19 in "Best Campus Food"
For other guides to colleges and universities, see the University of Minnesota Guide, Hamline University Guide and Gustavus Adolphus College Guide.
