U.S. News, Niche and others once again rank Macalester College among nation’s top liberal arts colleges

U.S. News & World Report has again ranked Macalester College among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation, including #26 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #25 in Best Value for 2024. The college received an overall A grade from Niche and is #4 on their list of Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America. Princeton Review also included Macalester among its Best Value Colleges for 2024, and ranked the college #14 on its list of Top 20 Best Schools for Making an Impact (Private Schools) and #33 in its list of Top 50 Green Colleges. These are just some of the top rankings and accolades Macalester has received in recent national assessments of colleges and universities that measure a wide range of variables, from academics and financial aid to social mobility and public service.  

“We are very proud to see Macalester recognized as one of the country’s top liberal arts colleges. Our academic distinction, vibrant metropolitan location, and emphasis on global citizenship make the Mac experience extraordinary; it’s gratifying to see this reflected in the national rankings,” said President Suzanne Rivera.

US News & World Report’s annual rankings assess various metrics, including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, and faculty resources. Macalester College’s top USNWR rankings for 2024-2025 include: 

• National Liberal Arts Colleges (#26)
• Best Value – National Liberal Arts Colleges (#25)
• Social Mobility – National Liberal Arts Colleges (#33)
• Undergraduate Teaching – National Liberal Arts Colleges (#17)
• Most Innovative Schools – National Liberal Arts Colleges (#18)
• Study Abroad (#14)
  

Niche, a popular college search tool used by prospective students around the world, gives annual report cards with grades for 12 indicators, including academics, student life, and diversity. Macalester College’s overall grade for 2024 was an A, with an A+ for academics and A’s for diversity and location. The college was also ranked #1 on the list for Best Colleges in Minnesota, #4 on Niche’s Best Colleges Without an Application Fee in America, and #21 among the Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America and the Best Small Colleges in America. 

Princeton Review ranks the top 25 colleges in 50 categories based on student surveys. In 2024, Macalester was ranked #14 on the list of Top 20 Schools for Making an Impact (Private Schools) and #33 on their Top 50 Green Colleges list.  

Washington Monthly’s annual rankings incorporate social mobility, research, and promoting public service with the goal of assessing how colleges contribute to the public good. For 2024, Macalester ranked #16 among liberal arts colleges overall and was #3 in its Service Rank.  

Money rates colleges based on quality, affordability, and student outcomes. Macalester received 4.5 out of 5 stars and was named to the magazine’s list of America’s Best Colleges. 

Learn more about Macalester College at macalester.edu.