Internationalist View of the World

Fiske Guide to Colleges

The Fiske Guide notes that one of Macalester’s hallmarks is “an internationalist view of the world.” Fiske is a selective guide that presents schools in subjective rather than statistical terms. “Mac attracts the best and brightest. Macalester students are an open-minded, friendly bunch, more politically and socially progressive than their peers at similar institutions. The school provides an atmosphere of high-powered scholarship and success, pairing academic rigor with global perspective. Teaching is paramount.”

Strong Campus Community

The Princeton Review's Best 377 Colleges

Students report that “academics are taken very seriously, offerings are top-notch and there are always things to do on campus.” Most professors are “vibrantly enthusiastic about what they’re teaching and truly help connect course work to real-life situations.” Undergrads tend to be “fairly relaxed and easy going, high-achieving, hardworking, and unpretentious.” Among the 377 colleges in The Princeton Review, Macalester ranks first for “Best Quality of Life.”

contribution to the public good

The Washington Monthly College Guide

Macalester ranks 22 among national liberal arts colleges in the Washington Monthly guide, which evaluates colleges “based on their contribution to the public good.” The criteria are based on the conviction that “America’s best colleges provide social mobility, contribute to research and scientific discovery, and encourage students to serve their communities and the nation at large.”

The New Ivies: 25 Hot Schools

Newsweek-Kaplan College Guide

Several years ago, the Newsweek/Kaplan guide identified a group of New Ivies, “colleges whose first-rate academic programs, combined with a population boom in top students, have fueled their rise in stature and favor among the nation’s top students, administrators and faculty—edging them to a competitive status rivaling the Ivy League.” Macalester College was one of 25 schools selected as “The New Ivies: 25 Hot Schools.”

Commitment to Teaching

U.S. News & World Report

Macalester ranks 7 among liberal arts colleges with a “strong commitment to teaching.” The college is 20 in a survey of high school counselors whom U.S News asked to rate colleges according to which “offer the best education to their students.” Macalester ranks 25 overall and 18 for academic reputation among the 252 national liberal arts colleges in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college is 14 on the Great Schools, Great Prices and the Best Financial Aid lists; one of ten colleges noted for international students on campus; and one of 10 noted for the strength of study abroad programs.

The New Ivy League

Huffington Post and Unigo

"[At Macalester] the academic intimacy allows students to really immerse themselves in their chosen study, but also creates a challenging course load that leaves little room for slacking off. One sophomore anthropology student warns, "Most students study a LOT. Most classes here, and certainly upper level classes, require tons of reading and lots of out-of-class work in order to master the material and get a good grade. Macalester students definitely have lots of intellectual conversations outside of class as well."

The Huffington Post has also placed Macalester on their list of Colleges for Visionaries, saying "Widely lauded for its strong liberal arts curriculum, [Macalester] has graduated the likes of Kofi Annan, Walter Mondale and author Tim O'Brien. The college is also noted for its pristine quality of life and commitment to service and sustainability."

One of the most Intellectual Schools  

Students’ Guide to Colleges

The Students’ Guide is created, written and edited entirely by current college students. The guide creates ten lists, each containing ten schools, offering unique insights into America’s top 100 colleges. Macalester is on the list for the Top 10 Most Intellectual Schools: “At Macalester, we just have a shockingly good time with our academics.” It’s also listed on the Top Schools for Super-Activist Types. “Macalester students have an honest and profound desire to try and make the world a better place.”

appealing location... unlimited opportunities

The Hidden Ivies

Based on a survey of college leaders and students, this book describes the character and quality of 50 colleges and universities that “merit similar consideration” along with the Ivy League. “Macalester is one of only a handful of selective undergraduate liberal arts colleges located in a metropolitan setting, a particularly appealing one, which provides unlimited opportunities for community service, internships, cultural, and social outlets.”

spirit of social and political awareness

Colleges with a Conscience

“Macalester College boasts not only a strong academic reputation, but also an uncommonly unified spirit of social and political awareness.” Colleges with a Conscience selected Mac as a school that “has both an administration committed to social responsibility and an active engaged student body…where education isn’t only about private gain; it’s also about the public good.” “One student explains, ‘People who come here have a purpose. They know how to commit to a community and engage themselves in meaningful work.’”

Alumni Networking…Powerful and positive

Barron’s Guide to the Most Competitive Colleges

“Undoubtedly, a Mac education is the ultimate preparation for success in academia, law, medicine, social service and business. But more importantly, Mac is an exceptional environment of life-altering enlightenment, life-changing experiences and lifelong friendships.” Written for high-achieving students, Barron’s Guide presents detailed profiles for nearly 70 of the most academically competitive four-year colleges

One of 20 that foster student success

Student Success in College

Student Success in College, a book based on a study conducted by a group of higher-education researchers, has identified a group of 20 colleges and universities that create a campus culture shown to foster student success. This list is not a ranking; its goal is to identify institutions that do an especially good job of educating students. Here’s what they say about Macalester, “The college aims to provide a high-quality education while making certain that students engage intellectually, socially and ethically with pressing issues of the larger community and the world.”

among 100 best Campuses for LGBT Students

Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students

The Advocate guide recognized Macalester as one of the 100 Best Campuses in the United States for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students. The guide’s 100 profiled campuses were selected based on institutional policies, commitment and support, academic life, housing, student life, counseling and health services, campus safety, and recruitment and retention efforts