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Our Rankings

A top liberal arts college

Macalester is a top-ranked liberal arts college in the heart of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Students often choose Mac for its vibrant location and rigorous academic programs.

We understand that rankings can be an important part of your college search, so here are some of the things about Macalester that renowned publications have chosen to highlight.

#27 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
#9 for Most Innovative

#11 in Undergraduate Teaching
Top College Rankings | US News
US News & World Report has again ranked Macalester College among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation out of 210 schools.

#4 of Top 20 Best Schools for Making an Impact (Private Schools)
The Best 389 Colleges | The Princeton Review
#21 Best College Radio Station (WCMN)
#23 Top 50 Green Colleges
“Students looking for the best of both worlds—a small college in a metropolitan location—will be keen on Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

#22 among U.S. four-year liberal arts colleges
Washington Monthly
Washington Monthly’s rankings prioritize social mobility, research, and promoting public service.

#1 Most Diverse Colleges in Minnesota
Niche.com
#3 Best Colleges with No Application Fee
#14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America

Macalester Great Lawn
Your virtual viewbook

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MACALESTER

Students at Macalester College get the best of both worlds—the inspiring academics of a leading liberal arts education combined with the engaging experiences of the Twin Cities. Quickly learn more about Macalester, its values, the academic program, and our campus in the city.

ONE OF AMERICA’S BEST COLLEGES
Money
Selected as one of only 58 colleges across the U.S. from a pool of 2,400 considered, Money ranked Macalester as a Best College as evaluated by its quality of education, affordability, and outcomes.

#5 Best Hidden Ivies 
The Top 10 Hidden Ivies | The College Gazette  
Macalester College is a “…liberal arts college located not in a small town but a large Midwestern metropolitan area. This gives its students ample opportunities to take part in community service projects and internships.”

#3 of Top 10 Midwest Schools in Big Cities
The College Rankings | The Wall Street Journal

5 out of 5 
Campus Pride Index
“Macalester offers a number of programs, services, and practices that are aimed at raising faculty, staff, and students’ intercultural knowledge and competence when it comes to gender and sexuality issues.”

Number 1 Best Places to Bike in the U.S. (Large City)
PeopleForBikes
Among nearly 1,500 cities overall, and just 69 large cities, Minneapolis ranks #1 for bikable large cities, and #7 for overall. Safe speeds, protected bike lanes, network connections, and data are some of the criteria contributing to the ranking.

 

Fiske Guide to Colleges
“A small school that punches above its weight, Macalester offers an internationalist and multiculturalist view of the world. Mac has the progressive capital city of St. Paul and a distinctive Scottish flavor.”

Introduce Yourself

We’d love to learn more about you—and tell you a little more about us. So if you’re considering Macalester, let us know. We’ll send you information about life at Mac, and keep you up to date on upcoming admissions visits and important deadlines.