Saint Paul, MN · Private University
Is Macalester College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,878
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,908
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,908
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$259,632
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
0.98x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
90.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,980
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Macalester College graduates earn $18,878 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Macalester College ranked by graduate earnings
27 graduates
40 graduates
30 graduates
28 graduates
49 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Macalester College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Macalester College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $104,215) and the lowest (Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies: $29,487) is $74,728/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $104,215 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $83,794 | 1.3x |
| Mathematics | $75,713 | 1.2x |
| Biology, General | $47,854 | 0.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,677 | 0.7x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $45,450 | 0.7x |
| International/Global Studies | $42,520 | 0.7x |
| Geography and Cartography | $41,857 | 0.6x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $38,027 | 0.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $29,559 | 0.5x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $29,487 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macalester College | 0.98x | $63,878 | Below Average |
| Carleton College | 1.15x | $75,525 | Average ROI |
| Oberlin College | 0.90x | $58,343 | Below Average |
| Grinnell College | 0.97x | $62,830 | Below Average |
| Kenyon College | 1.04x | $71,830 | Average ROI |
| Denison University | 1.06x | $67,753 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Macalester College carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $63,878 10 years after starting — $18,878 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9 years, a reasonable timeline.
Ready to apply to Macalester College?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.