Carleton College
About Carleton College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Carleton College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. Highly selective with a 17% acceptance rate, it is known for its rigorous academics in computer science, biology, math, and economics, with a 91% graduation rate and a trimester system.
Founded
1866
Location
Northfield, Minnesota
Students
2,086
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
20.4%
Very selective
Graduation Rate
89.6%
Above national average
Tuition
$68,892
Per year
Avg Net Price
$25,407
After financial aid
SAT Average
1517
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$75,525
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Highly Selective
About 5 students apply for every seat
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
Free
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Jan 15
Carleton College admits about 20.4% of applicants, with an average SAT around 1517. Strong academics are a must, and your essays and activities will make the difference.
SAT Scores
1517/ 1600
ACT Scores
33/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
89.6% complete their degree within six years
Retention
96.5%
4-Year Grad
87%
6-Year Grad
91%
Teaching Quality
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
87.3%
$/Student
$40.6K
Class Size
Small
87% of students graduate on time, and with a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$68,892
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$17,586
Books & Supplies
$938
Total Cost of Attendance
$84,893
After Financial Aid
$25,407
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$7,881
Receive Grants
16.5%
Take Loans
43.4%
Don't let the $68,892 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $25,407 after financial aid, a 63% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $7,881.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Carleton College fund their education.
While in School
16.5%
Get Grants
Free money
43.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$78,779
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$16,750
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$178/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Students typically graduate with $16,750 in debt, below the national median. That's a manageable amount for most career paths.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Carleton College.
Gender
50.3%
Female
50%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
2,086
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
15.7%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.2%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (50% women, 50% men). 15.7% are first-generation college students. 10.4% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Town: Distant
Campus Quick Facts
2,086
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Trimester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Carleton College fields 10 varsity teams with 476 student athletes, about 23% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
Minnesota
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
10
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
476
23% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
60% / 40%
287
Men
189
Women
8
Men's Teams
8
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Carleton Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$75,525
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$88K
80 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$31K
65 grads
1yr Earnings
International Relations and National Security Studies
—
40 grads
Mathematics
—
39 grads
Chemistry
—
38 grads
Economics
$67K
37 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $54K at six years, $53K at eight, and $76K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carleton College
What is the acceptance rate at Carleton College?▾
How much does Carleton College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Carleton College?▾
How much do Carleton College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.