Saint Paul, Minnesota · Private · 2,131 undergrads
Macalester College admitted 28% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,481 of 8,819, Common Data Set 2025-26). Macalester College admitted 42% of early decision applicants (201 of 479). Of the 446 students who took a spot on the wait list, 82 were admitted (18%). Macalester College is test-optional for fall 2027.
The numbers
Applied
8,819
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
30–33
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
22%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$0
waivers exist
See your odds and what families like yours paid. It stays on your device.Add my SAT and income
Can I get into Macalester College?
28% of applicants get in
Competitive: your grades and the classes you took matter most. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1350–1480 on the SAT.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
8,819 applied, 2,481 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
Does Macalester College need the SAT or ACT?Optional
No.
Test-optional for fall 2027. 29% of enrolled first-years sent the SAT. Send your SAT if it's 1420 or higher, the middle of what enrolled first-years scored.
For fall 2025, 201 of 479 early decision applicants got in (42%), against 28% overall. Early decision is binding: if you get in, you go.
Early action is offered: you hear sooner and don't have to commit.
Closed
Early decisionBinding
Was due Nov 1, 2026
Closed
Early action
Was due Nov 1, 2026
53days
Early decision IIBinding
Due Friday, Jan 1, 2027
67days
Regular decision
Due Friday, Jan 15, 2027
Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.
The wait list
765 students were offered a wait-list spot and 446 took one. 82 of them got in (18%).
Common Data Set, fall 2025.
What Macalester College looks at
Counts most
How hard your classes were, GPA.
Counts a lot
Essay, recommendations, activities, character.
Also considered
Class rank, SAT or ACT scores, interview, talent or ability, first in your family to go to college, A parent or relative went there, where you live, state residency, volunteering, work experience.
As Macalester College rates each factor in its Common Data Set, fall 2025.
Questions people ask
What is Macalester College's acceptance rate?
Macalester College admitted 28% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,481 of 8,819, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Macalester College?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1350–1480. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Is it easier to get into Macalester College early decision?
For fall 2025, 201 of 479 early decision applicants got in (42%), against 28% overall. Early decision is binding: if you get in, you go. Early applicants often include recruited athletes and legacies, so the gap overstates the advantage for most students.
Does Macalester College take students off the wait list?
765 students were offered a wait-list spot and 446 took one. 82 of them got in (18%).
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Deadlines: macalester.edu, 2026-27 (checked Nov 5, 2026)
Test rule: macalester.edu, fall 2027 (checked Nov 2, 2026)
