Macalester College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Macalester College was $64,678 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4.25%–from $62,040 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until after graduation.

Macalester College meets 98.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Macalester College is around $57,991 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $21,841 in student loans for each student with debt.

Macalester College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Macalester College is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Minnesota as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to check your state's requirements for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Minnesota colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Macalester College?

Macalester College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Macalester College:

•On-campus jobs •Macalester College-specific loans •Macalester College-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Macalester College Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Macalester College.

Room and Board Costs at Macalester College

Room and board at Macalester College is $14,982 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Macalester College?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Macalester College

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Macalester College, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city might be costly, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. Macalester Collegeis located in a city in Minnesota.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for Macalester College

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Macalester College.

Total Cost of Macalester College

What will the cost of attending Macalester College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$64,678
Room and Board	$14,982
Other expenses	$1,680

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$81,570
Off-Campus	$66,588

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Macalester College’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for part-time students

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Macalester College Financial Aid

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The majority of Macalester College undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 1,347 of the 2,175 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Macalester College meets 98.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $57,991 a year. Around 58% of Macalester College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Macalester College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,841 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$18,387
State Loans	$16,500
Macalester College-Specific Loans	$9,586
Private Loans	$44,535

Most Common Loans for Macalester College Students
Federal Loans	49%
State loans	0.38%
Institutional Loans	29%
Private loans	2%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Macalester College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Macalester College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Macalester College awarded 1,338 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $67.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $9.92 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Macalester College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Macalester College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Macalester College was $57,991 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Macalester College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$23,579
Off-Campus	$8,597

What will attending Macalester College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Macalester College's net cost calculator on their website.

Macalester College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Macalester College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Macalester College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Macalester College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Macalester College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Macalester College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Macalester College's endowment was $830.5 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Macalester College spends about $22,000 a year.

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Learn More About Macalester College

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