- 1-on-1 college admissions guidance for grade 6-12
- 98% acceptance rate
- Guidance tailored to each student's needs
The average acceptance rate at Macalester over the past 10 years is 34.51%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 28.52%.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 22.99%, and the 2025 yield is 21.89%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 11.64% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Macalester applicants increased by 10.73% (869 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 48.72% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 28.52%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that Macalester has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 21.89%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at Macalester. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, Macalester received approximately 8,968 applications, admitted 2,558 students, and enrolled 560 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that Macalester is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
Macalester 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Macalester over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 34.51%, while the most recent rate stands at 28.52%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 28.52%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 32.78% and for women is 35.85%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Macalester have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 39.02% | 36.07% | 40.91% |
| 2016-17 | 37.10% -1.92% |
36.04% -0.03% |
37.79% -3.12% |
| 2017-18 | 40.58% 3.48% |
36.91% 0.86% |
43.06% 5.26% |
| 2018-19 | 41.24% 0.66% |
40.11% 3.21% |
42.01% -1.05% |
| 2019-20 | 32.27% -8.97% |
31.99% -8.12% |
32.45% -9.56% |
| 2020-21 | 38.69% 6.43% |
38.70% 6.70% |
38.69% 6.24% |
| 2021-22 | 31.00% -7.70% |
31.01% -7.69% |
32.00% -6.69% |
| 2022-23 | 28.42% -2.58% |
26.37% -4.64% |
29.85% -2.16% |
| 2023-24 | 28.21% -0.21% |
25.39% -0.98% |
30.38% 0.54% |
| 2024-25 | 28.52% 0.31% |
25.21% -0.18% |
31.33% 0.94% |
| Average | 34.51% | 32.78% | 35.85% |
Macalester has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 24.78% in 2015 to 21.89% in 2025, representing a 11.64% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 22.99%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Macalester from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 11.64% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 24.78% | 27.36% | 23.32% |
| 2016-17 | 22.94% -1.84% |
25.03% -2.33% |
21.63% -1.69% |
| 2017-18 | 22.68% -0.26% |
23.23% -1.79% |
22.36% 0.73% |
| 2018-19 | 25.16% 2.48% |
28.16% 4.93% |
23.19% 0.82% |
| 2019-20 | 23.58% -1.58% |
25.74% -2.42% |
22.16% -1.02% |
| 2020-21 | 22.18% -1.40% |
22.76% -2.98% |
21.78% -0.38% |
| 2021-22 | 21.01% -1.18% |
23.03% 0.27% |
20.02% -1.75% |
| 2022-23 | 23.03% 2.02% |
23.38% 0.35% |
22.81% 2.79% |
| 2023-24 | 22.67% -0.36% |
26.73% 3.35% |
20.06% -2.76% |
| 2024-25 | 21.89% -0.78% |
23.91% -2.82% |
20.38% 0.32% |
| Average | 22.99% | 24.93% | 21.77% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 7,138, the average number of admitted is 2,406, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 552.
The number of Macalester applicants increased by 10.73% (869 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 48.72% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Macalester College from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 6,030 | 2,353 | 583 |
| 2016-17 | 5,946 -1.39% |
2,206 -6.25% |
506 -13.21% |
| 2017-18 | 5,900 -0.77% |
2,394 8.52% |
543 7.31% |
| 2018-19 | 5,985 1.44% |
2,468 3.09% |
621 14.36% |
| 2019-20 | 6,598 10.24% |
2,129 -13.74% |
502 -19.16% |
| 2020-21 | 6,373 -3.41% |
2,466 15.83% |
547 8.96% |
| 2021-22 | 9,046 41.94% |
2,804 13.71% |
589 7.68% |
| 2022-23 | 8,434 -6.77% |
2,397 -14.51% |
552 -6.28% |
| 2023-24 | 8,099 -3.97% |
2,285 -4.67% |
518 -6.16% |
| 2024-25 | 8,968 10.73% |
2,558 11.95% |
560 8.11% |
| Average | 7,138 | 2,406 | 552 |
The following table compares Macalester College' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macalester College | 28.21% | 28.52% | 1.10% |
| University of St Thomas | 85.36% | 84.94% | 0.49% |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | 78.87% | 74.87% | 5.34% |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 92.78% | 88.81% | 4.47% |
| St Catherine University | 91.85% | 94.07% | -2.36% |
| Bethel University | 87.80% | 90.99% | -3.51% |
Share your experiences and thoughts about Macalester College. It will be a great help to applicants and prospective students!