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| Motto | Natura et Revelatio cœli gemini (Latin) |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Nature and Revelation are twin sisters of heaven |
| Type | Privateliberal arts college |
| Established | 1874; 151 years ago (1874) |
Academic affiliations |
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| Endowment | $899 million (2025)[1] |
| Budget | $205 million (2022)[2] |
| President | Suzanne Rivera |
| Provost | Lisa Anderson-Levy[3] |
Academic staff | 188 (full-time)[4] |
| Undergraduates | 2,068[5] |
| Location | , U.S. 44°56′21″N93°10′4″W / 44.93917°N 93.16778°W /44.93917; -93.16778 |
| Campus | Urban (residential), 53 acres (21 ha) |
| Colors | Blue and orange |
| Nickname | Scots |
Sporting affiliations | |
| Mascot | Coo theHighland Cow[6] |
| Website | macalester.edu |
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Macalester College (/məˈkælɪstər/mə-KAL-iss-tər) is aprivateliberal arts college inSaint 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.[7] The college has Scottish and Presbyterian roots and emphasizesinternationalism andmulticulturalism.[8]
In 2023, the college offered 39 majors, 40 minors, and 11 concentrations.[9] Students also have the option todesign their own major. Macalester's sports teams compete in theNCAA Division III-levelMinnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The college's 60-acre main campus is bordered bySummit Avenue to the north and St. Clair Avenue to the south. The 300-acre Ordway Field Station, anature reserve andresearch station, is on the outskirts of theTwin Cities, along theMississippi River.[10]
Macalester College was founded byEdward Duffield Neill in 1874 with help from thePresbyterian Church in Minnesota. Neill had served as a chaplain in theAmerican Civil War and traveled toMinnesota Territory in 1849. He became connected politically and socially. He went on to found two local churches, was appointed the first Chancellor of theUniversity of Minnesota, and became the state's first superintendent of public education. In leaving theUniversity of Minnesota Board of Regents he desired to build a religious college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church that would also be open to members of other Christian churches.[11]
The college's original name wasBaldwin College and it was affiliated with the Baldwin School, a Presbyterian secondary school.[12] After a large donation fromCharles Macalester, a prominent businessman and philanthropist fromPhiladelphia, the institution was renamed Macalester College.[when?] Macalester donated a hotel, the Winslow House, as the first permanent classroom building. With additional funding from the Presbyterian Church and its trustees, Macalester College opened for courses in 1885 with five teachers, six freshmen, and 52 preparatory students.[11]
James Wallace joined the faculty in 1887 and later became president. He helped stabilize the college's finances and advance the institution.[11] During his tenure, Macalester created a focus on a liberal arts curriculum. In 1897,Nellie A. Hope was the first woman appointed to the institution's newly organized music department.[13][14]
In 2008, Macalester publicly launched a $150 million capital campaign. In 2009, construction was completed on Markim Hall, a new home for the Institute for Global Citizenship. Plans called for the building to qualify for Platinum certification under theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system, a building rating system devised by theU.S. Green Building Council that evaluates structures' sustainability and environmental impact. In 2012, Macalester opened its renovated and expanded Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center.[11]
In 2020, Suzanne Rivera became the college's 17th president; she is the first woman and first Hispanic person to serve in the role.[15] That year, the college also marked the conclusion of its "Macalester Moment" campaign, which raised more than $126 million in endowed funds, planned gifts, and current-use support.[16]
Old Main, Macalester College | |
 Old Main | |
| Location | 1600 Grand Ave. Saint Paul, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Architect | William H. Willcox |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000765 |
| Added to NRHP | August 16, 1977 |
In the Sustainable Endowments Institute's 2011 College Sustainability Report Card, Macalester received an overall grade of A−, earning it recognition as an "Overall Campus Sustainability Leader".[17] In 2011,The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) awarded Macalester a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Silver Rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements.[18]
Many student organizations focus on sustainability, including Macalester Conservation and Renewable Energy Society (MacCARES), Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG), Mac Bike, Macalester Urban Land and Community Health (MULCH), Green Athletics at Mac, and Outing Club.[19]
In April 2003, Macalester installed a 10 kW UrbanWind Turbine on campus thanks to that year's senior class gift donating the installation cost and Xcel Energy donating the tower and turbine.[20] MacCARES is developing a proposal for Macalester to invest in a Utility-Scale Wind Turbine in the range of 2MW.[20] Other projects include the Eco-House, a student residence with a range of green features and research opportunities; arain garden that prevents stormwater from running off into groundwater, a bike share program, and a veggie co-op.[21] The Class of 2008 designated its senior class gift to a Sustainability Fund to support initiatives to improve environmental sustainability on campus and in the greater community.[21] On January 1, 2013, Macalester started campus composting.[22]
In September 2009, Macalester set a goal to become carbon-neutral by 2025 and Zero-Waste by 2020.[23] The school is a signatory to the Talloires Declaration and the American College and University President's Climate Commitment, the latter obligating the college to work towardcarbon neutrality.[24] On April 18, 2012, PresidentBrian Rosenberg signed the "Commitment to Sustainable Practices of Higher Education Institutions on the Occasion of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development".[25]
In 2009, Macalester opened Markim Hall, a LEED Platinum building that houses the school's Institute for Global Citizenship.[26] The building uses 45% less water and 75% less energy than a typical Minnesota building. Macalester is planning to remodel its Music, Theater, and Art buildings and is designing them to Minnesota B3 Guidelines.
Recent sustainability efforts have highlighted the intersection of social justice and climate change at Macalester as well as the potential conflict between its on-campus sustainability and its investments. Since 2012, students have criticized the college for making significant endowment investments in fossil fuel companies, including direct investments in oil and gas private partnerships. The student organization Fossil Free Mac[27] has led a campaign urging the college todivest from fossil fuel companies. The campaign initially proposed full endowment divestment from the top 200 publicly traded fossil fuel companies, which Macalester's Social Responsibility Committee rejected in 2015.[28][29] In 2018, the Social Responsibility Committee unanimously approved a revised Fossil Free Mac proposal[30] advocating a moratorium on the college's direct investment partnerships with oil and gas companies, which the board of trustees is considering.[31][32] The divestment campaign has received significant support from the student body, student government, faculty, staff, and alumni.[33]
| Academic rankings | |
|---|---|
| Liberal arts | |
| U.S. News & World Report[34] | 28 |
| Washington Monthly[35] | 4 |
In 2025,Washington Monthly ranked Macalester 4th among 190 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. based on its contribution to the public good as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service.[36]U.S. News & World Report ranked Macalester the 28th-best liberal arts college in the U.S., 10th for "Best Undergraduate Teaching" and 31st for "Best Value" liberal arts college in 2025.[37] Macalester ranked 24th out of 378 colleges inNiche's 2026 "Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America" and 26th on its "Best Small Colleges in America" list.[38][39] Among other Niche rankings, Macalester received an A+ in academics[40] and was named Minnesota's most diverse college.[41]Money magazine selected Macalester as a "Best College" from a pool of over 2,400 as evaluated by quality of education, affordability, and outcomes.[42][43] Macalester was named one of theHidden Iviesbased on academics, admissions process, financial aid, and student experience.[44] Its 2024 graduates' most popular majors were:[45]
Macalester is considered "most selective" by theU.S. News & World Report rankings.[46] For the Class of 2029, Macalester received 8,816 applications and accepted 27% of applicants.[47]
Macalester has 198 full-time faculty, 91% of whom have a doctorate or the highest degree in their field.[48] Thirty-nine percent of faculty are international or U.S. citizens of color.[48] The student-faculty ratio is 10:1[48] and the average class size 17.[49]
Macalester offers over 800 courses each academic year, providing pathways to 39 majors, 40 minors, and 11 concentrations.[9] Students may also design their owninterdisciplinary majors.[50] Courses are available in the physical sciences, humanities, mathematics and computer sciences, arts, social sciences, foreign languages, classics, several interdisciplinary fields, and pre-professional programs.[51] Pre-professional programs includes pre-law, pre-medical, a cooperative architecture program, and a cooperative engineering program.[52] The most popular majors (in order) are economics, mathematics, biology, psychology, and political science.[4]
The academic calendar at Macalester is divided into a 14-week fall semester (September to December) and a 14-week spring semester (January to May).[50] All courses are offered for semester credit. Most courses are offered for four semester credits, but the amount of credit may vary.[50]
During January, Macalester students may earn up to two semester credits in independent projects, internships, or Macalester-sponsored off-campus courses.[50] They may also earn up to eight semester credits in independent study during the summer through independent projects or internships.[50]
Studying away at Macalester is managed by the Center for Study Away, and it is called study away (as opposed tostudy abroad) because there are options to study away domestically.[53] Nearly 60% of Macalester students study away before graduation.[54] Eleven departments require off-campus study for completion of a major.[55]
Macalester is a member of the Macalester–Pomona–Swarthmore Consortium,[56][57] which administers a study abroad program inCape Town, South Africa. Students in the program, variously titled "Globalization, the Environment and Society", "Globalization and the Natural Environment", and the "South African Program in Interdisciplinary Studies", study an interdisciplinary course at theUniversity of Cape Town (UCT) co-taught by a faculty member from the consortium and two UCT faculty members.[58][59] Macalester also partners with colleges and universities such asCarleton College,Duke University, andMiddlebury College to offer study-abroad programs.[60] It is also an exchange partner withSciences Po in France.[61]
Macalester is a member of theAssociated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC), a consortium of five liberal arts colleges in Saint Paul and Minneapolis formed to develop cooperative programs and offer cross-registration to their students. The other members are theUniversity of St. Thomas,Augsburg University,Hamline University, andSt. Catherine University. In addition to over 800 courses available on campus, Macalester students have access to all courses offered through the consortium without paying additional tuition.
Two out of three Macalester students qualify for need-based financial aid. Macalester also provides merit-based scholarships to around half of all students (most also receive need-based aid). Its comprehensive tuition, room, and board fee for the 2021–22 academic year was $74,060.[63]
Macalester maintains a high international enrollment for its institutional type as a percentage of its student body.[64] As of fall 2025, international students constituted 16% of the student body.[65] Its 2,068 students come from 49 U.S. states, Washington D.C., American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and 107 countries; 40% of the U.S. student body are students of color.[66]
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Macalester is one of 360 institutions that have been awarded the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for excellence in civic engagement. The college encourages student dialogue by bringing in speakers, hosting an International Roundtable to bring distinguished international scholars to discuss emerging global issues, and hosting collective meetings such as Women of Color.[67]
Macalester links academic learning to community involvement. In 2011–12, 16 departments offered 59 courses with civic engagement components.[68] Each year approximately 200 students complete internships, 65% of which are in the nonprofit sector, schools, government, or the arts.[67] Macalester also allows students to earn their work-study financial aid award while working at a local nonprofit or elementary school.[67]
Almost all students (96%) volunteer in the Twin Cities while at Macalester.[4] Many student organizations encourage active civic engagement, including MPIRG, Maction, Queer Union (QU), Macalester Habitat for Humanity.[67]
Macalester is the primary financial contributor and sponsor of theMinnesota Institute for Talented Youth, which was founded in 1967 and has its main facilities in the Lampert Building. MITY provides two differentgifted education programs during the summer and one on weekends during the academic year.[69] Macalester also participates inProject Pericles, a commitment to further encourage civic engagement at the college.[67] In 2000, Macalester signed theTalloires Declaration, making a commitment toenvironmental sustainability, as well as a sweatshop pledge, making a commitment to fair-labor practices in the purchase of college apparel.[67]
The Campus Pride Index awarded Macalester a full five out of five stars for LGBTQ-friendly campuses.[70] In 2007,The Princeton Reviewnamed Macalester the most gay-friendly college in the nation.[71] Macalester has started an initiative to ensure access to single-stall and all-gender bathrooms across campus.[72]
Macalester has a student-powered Gender and Sexuality Resource Center that aims to build a culture of resistance against all forms of oppression.[73] It also has active LGBTQ student organizations and groups, including Queer Union, the Trans Identity Collective, Allies Project Training, and the Macalester Out and Proud Community.[73]
The college has apipe band consisting of around 20 students, alumni, and community members.Bagpipes are performed at significant college events and are heard when applicants open their acceptance letters. Macalester offers students free bagpipes and lessons and has an officialtartan plaid. In the 1930s, students jokingly brought bagpipes to campus as a reference to the college's Scottish name, which started the tradition.[74]
Macalester's athletic teams are nicknamed theScots. Macalester is a member of theNCAA Division IIIMinnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in all sports. The Scots' football team set an NCAA Division III record bylosing 50 straight games from 1974 to 1980.Earlham College broke that record in 2018, losing 51 straight games.[75] In 1977, Macalester set a Division III record by allowing 59.1 points per game. The losing streak ended in dramatic fashion: Kicker Bob Kaye put a 23-yarder through the uprights with 11 seconds remaining in a September 1980 game as the Scots beat Mount Senario College.[76] The Scots football team left the MIAC after the 2001 season[77] and competed as an independent until 2014, when it joined theMidwest Conference. Under head coach Tony Jennison, Macalester won the Midwest Conference title in its first year in the league. This was the Scots' first conference football title since 1947.[78] Macalester also won nine games in 2014, the most ever in a Scots season in its 121 years of intercollegiate football.[79] That year, the team earned its firstNCAA Division III playoff appearance. In 2020, the football team returned to the MIAC.
Both men's and women's soccer teams remain competitive, appearing in multiple NCAA playoffs since 1988, with the men's team making 12 national tournaments and the women's team appearing in 15.[80] The women's team won the NCAA championship in 1998 and finished second in 1999.[81] The men's team has won 12 MIAC championships[82] and the women's team has won eight MIAC titles. Coach John Leaney, who won 489 games as the coach of both teams, was honored in 2023 when Macalester named the field at Macalester Stadium "John Leaney Field".[83] Both teams are well-supported by students, parents and alumni.Mental Floss named one of Macalester sports fans' most (in)famous cheers—"Drink blood, smoke crack, worship Satan, go Mac!"—one of its "7 Memorable Sports Chants".[84]
Macalester Athletics compete in the Leonard Center, which opened in August 2008. The $45 million facility encompasses 175,000 square feet and includes a 200-meter track, a natatorium, a fitness center, several multipurpose rooms, and a health and wellness center. Materials from the former facility were disposed of in environmentally friendly ways, with some incorporated into the new structure.[85]
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