Macalester College, founded in 1874, is a private liberal arts college located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nestled in the vibrant Mac-Groveland and Merriam Park neighborhoods, the urban setting of the college offers a distinct collegiate experience to its approximately 2,100 students. With a 53-acre campus that provides an intimate learning environment, Macalester fosters a close-knit academic community and maintains a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized attention and intellectual collaboration between students and faculty.
Distinguished by its international focus, Macalester College boasts a diverse student body with a significant percentage of international students relative to its size. The institution is renowned for its emphasis on global citizenship and multiculturalism, which is woven into the curriculum across disciplines. To this end, Macalester offers a unique International Studies major, integrated study-abroad programs, and is home to the Institute for Global Citizenship, which encourages students to develop an understanding of the complex interconnections within the modern world. Further, Macalester's commitment to sustainability is evident both in its academic programs and campus initiatives, establishing the school as a leader in environmental stewardship among liberal arts colleges.
Macalester College enjoys a reputation for fostering community engagement and service-learning, providing students with numerous opportunities to contribute positively to the local and global community. The civic engagement programs are designed to enhance students' academic and real-world learning, grounding abstract theories in concrete practice. Academically, Macalester shines in areas such as political science, economics, and environmental studies, with faculty and students frequently engaging in collaborative research projects. This hands-on approach extends outside the classroom with students often taking part in internships and community-based projects in the Twin Cities, leveraging the urban location for experiential learning.
While Macalester College is celebrated for many positive aspects, it faces challenges typical for small, private liberal arts institutions. For example, the college has a high cost of attendance, which can be a barrier for some prospective students, despite the robust financial aid offerings. The intense focus on internationalism and global perspectives, while a distinctive feature, may sometimes underplay the importance of local or national issues. Additionally, as a small college, Macalester may offer fewer major and course options compared to larger universities, which can limit choices for students with very specific academic interests or for those seeking comprehensive pre-professional programs.
