Organizer Information
Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. The college offers undergraduate education leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree across 39 majors, with additional minors and interdisciplinary concentrations. For students interested in the arts and creative disciplines, relevant academic areas include Art and Art History, Media and Cultural Studies, Theater and Dance, Music, and Performance Design and Technologies.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Macalester College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Studio Art, Media, Film, Photography, Theater, Dance, Music, Performance Design and Technologies
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art major; Art History major; Media and Cultural Studies major; Theater and Dance major; minors in Art, Media Studies, Theater, Dance, and Performance Design and Technologies
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: 2027–2028 admission cycle
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026 (Early Decision I / Early Action); 1 January 2027 (Early Decision II); 15 January 2027 (Regular Decision)
- Start of Studies: September 2027
- Application Fee: $0
- Tuition: $74,394 for 2026–2027
- Funding: Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships available; international applicants may apply for need-based aid.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Macalester's Art and Art History department offers majors in Studio Art and Art History. Studio Art includes painting, drawing, printmaking, design, sculpture, ceramics, and photography.
- Media and Cultural Studies offers a major combining analysis, criticism, research, and production, with coursework involving film, new media, journalism, photography, and other media forms.
- The Theater and Dance department offers a Theater and Dance major and minors in Theater, Dance, and Performance Design and Technologies.
- Applicants do not need prior studio experience to take introductory Art and Art History courses. An art portfolio is optional, rather than a general admission requirement.
General Eligibility
- Macalester accepts international first-year applicants who apply through the Common Application. Applicants must provide secondary-school academic records and satisfy the college's first-year admission requirements. International applicants are reviewed in the context of their educational system.
- For students applying before completing final graduation examinations, predicted or anticipated results may be included with transcript materials.
Educational Background
- International first-year applicants must submit official secondary-school transcripts and, where applicable, examination certificates. Macalester's standard transcript expectation covers grades 9 through 12/13 and available external examination results, with requirements considered according to the applicant's educational system.
- Transfer applicants must have completed at least one semester or trimester of college/university study after high school graduation to be considered for transfer admission.
Language Requirements
- Macalester's courses are taught in English. English proficiency testing is optional for international applicants. Proof of English proficiency is recommended for applicants whose first language is not English and who have spent fewer than two years in a curriculum taught primarily in English during secondary/upper-secondary education.
- Macalester does not impose a minimum English-test score. Among applicants who submit scores, the college identifies the following scores as associated with successful classroom performance: IELTS 7.0+, TOEFL 100+ for tests taken before January 2026, TOEFL 5.0+ for tests taken after January 2026, and Duolingo English Test 130+.
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $0 |
| Transfer applicants | $0 |
Macalester states that it does not charge an application fee.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, full-time | All students | $74,394 | Academic year | Activity fee $330; residence hall $9,268; meal plan $8,162 |
| Undergraduate, full-time | All students | $37,197 per semester | Semester | See above |
| Undergraduate, full-time | All students | $3,329 health insurance | Annual | Required unless an approved alternative plan is used |
For 2026–2027, tuition includes required course materials. The standard billed comprehensive fee is $92,154, before the separately listed health-insurance charge.
Funding & Financial Support
- Macalester states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. International students can apply for need-based financial aid, but they must indicate their need during the admission process; financial aid cannot be requested for the first time after admission.
- International applicants seeking need-based aid must submit either the CSS Profile or the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) and a Macalester Financial Declaration Form. Macalester also offers merit scholarships to international students, including the Charles J. Turck Presidential Honor Scholarship, for which international applicants are automatically considered.
- International students receiving qualifying financial aid are also offered campus employment as part of their financial-aid package, and Macalester offers an International Student Loan.
University Services & Academic Support
- Macalester provides academic advising through the Academic Programs and Advising Office and departmental advising. Students generally declare a major by the end of their second year.
- For Art and Art History students, support includes faculty mentorship, the Law Warschaw Gallery, a Visual Resources Library with more than 20,000 images, exhibitions, visiting artists and scholars, and professional-practice preparation through the Studio Art senior capstone. Senior Studio Art majors receive dedicated studio space and 24/7 access.
Application Requirements
International first-year applicants must submit:
- Common Application
- Official secondary-school transcript and applicable examination certificates
- Two recommendation letters: one from a counselor/school official and one from a teacher
- Senior-year/in-progress grades where applicable
- Early Decision Agreement, if applying Early Decision
Optional: ACT or SAT scores, English-proficiency test scores, interviews through InitialView or Vericant, an additional recommendation, and an art/creative portfolio.
An art portfolio is not required for admission. Applicants interested in art, music, theater, or dance may upload creative work through the applicant portal.
International applicants seeking need-based financial aid must also submit the applicable financial-aid documents.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: August 2026
- Early Decision I / Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- International Financial Aid Deadline — ED I / Early Action: 10 November 2026
- International Financial Aid Deadline — ED II: 8 January 2027
- International Financial Aid Deadline — Regular Decision: 22 January 2027
- Start of Studies / Fall 2027 Classes: 7 September 2027
Location
Macalester College — Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Additional Details
- Macalester is an undergraduate liberal arts college rather than a graduate-level art school. Its arts-related study is therefore integrated into a broader BA curriculum. Students can combine creative practice with other academic fields, and the college supports interdisciplinary study through majors, minors, concentrations, internships, and study-away opportunities.
- International students who require an F-1 or J-1 visa must ultimately demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the I-20 or DS-2019. For 2026–2027, Macalester's published I-20 cost-of-attendance figure is $97,883, including tuition, room, meals, activity fee, health insurance, and estimated personal expenses; qualifying financial aid is taken into account.