Saint Paul, MN · Private Nonprofit

Macalester College Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Macalester College cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$82,991
Net Price$32,149
Median Earnings$63,878
Graduation Rate87.1%
Median Debt$19,500
Admission Rate28.5%
Student Count2,131
SAT Average1,440

Macalester College Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $32,149
Money available $0
Still needed per year $32,149
Monthly gap $2,679

Four-year projection: about $128,596 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $19,500.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$63,878Total cost$82,991Net price$32,149Median debt$19,500

Value Score Comparison

Macalester College56.0Dataset avg54.3MN avg54.8
Median earnings14% better than dataset average
$63,878
Total annual cost92% weaker than dataset average
$82,991
Average net price50% weaker than dataset average
$32,149
Graduation rate30.3 percentage points better than dataset average
87.1%
Median debt20% weaker than dataset average
$19,500

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

MN Average

Value Score: 54.8

Net Price: $21,767

Earnings: $56,957

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $32,149, compared with reported total cost of $82,991.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $63,878 and the graduation rate is 87.1%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $19,500, while the loan share is 35.6%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 28.5% and Pell Grant share is 17.2%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePrivate Nonprofit
LocationSaint Paul, MN
Admission Rate28.5%
In-State Tuition$68,104
Out-of-State Tuition$68,104
Total Cost$82,991
Net Price$32,149
Median Earnings$63,878
Graduation Rate87.1%
Median Debt$19,500
Pell Grant Share17.2%
Loan Share35.6%
Average Faculty Salary$11,951
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 25.6 + graduation 21.8 + net price 4.3 + total cost 0.0 + debt 4.4 = 56.0/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings25.6$63,878 · max 40 pts
Graduation21.887.1% · max 25 pts
Net Price4.3$32,149 · max 15 pts
Total Cost0.0$82,991 · max 10 pts
Debt4.4$19,500 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.