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Planning for College Costs

Macalester is one of a small number of colleges that is committed to providing a financial aid package equal to one-hundred percent of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student and offers a robust program of merit-based scholarships.

Cost Calculator

Quick College Cost Estimator

MyinTuition is a tool that can help you anticipate your college costs and estimate your eligibility for need-based financial aid. An education at Macalester may be more affordable than you think.


College Tuition & Financial Aid

Comprehensive fees for attending Macalester are $83,864 for the 2024-2025 academic year. This includes tuition, housing, a meal plan, and activity fees. Find details here.

Macalester Average Financial Aid Composition 80% Macalester grants and scholarships 10% Loans 6% Student Employment 5% Federal, state, private grants, and scholarships

Average Financial Aid Package

Around three out of five of Macalester students receive need-based financial aid. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the average need-based financial aid package totaled $62,533.

Merit Scholarship Awards 15% are $1,000 to $10,000 24% are 10,001 to $16,000 36% are $16,001 to $20,000 and 24% are $20,.001 to $23,000

Merit Scholarship Awards

Around half of Macalester students are recipients of a merit-based scholarship (and many of those students also receive need-based financial aid). In the 2023-2024 academic year, the average merit scholarship totaled $16,922.

All applicants for admission to Macalester are considered for merit-based scholarships.


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