Carleton College
Private nonprofit four-year college in Northfield, MN that costs an average of $25,295 a year after financial aid, admits 20% of applicants and graduates 89% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitTown (distant)2,086 undergraduates
Cost of Carleton College
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $89,204 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $72,069 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $18,393 |
| Books and supplies | $1,101 |
| Average net price after aid | $25,295 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $12,275 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $11,313 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $18,924 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $18,309 |
| $110,001+ | $37,770 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Carleton College's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 20% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,517 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 720–770 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 730–790 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 32–34 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 89% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 96% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $60,458 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $82,742 |
| Rank in Minnesota (earnings) | 1st of 38 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $18,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $205 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 20% |
| Students with federal loans | 28% |
Majors and programs at Carleton College
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (32)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 158 | $88,594 | $20,917 |
| Mathematics | 73 | $82,760 | $19,916 |
| Economics | 71 | $73,688 | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 69 | $39,527 | $16,340 |
| Biology | 107 | $38,867 | $18,000 |
| Political Science and Government | — | $31,501 | — |
| Area Studies | 23 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 65 | — | $19,000 |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6 | — | — |
| Cognitive Science | 12 | — | — |
| Dance | 1 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 4 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 7 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 40 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 15 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 28 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 41 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 16 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| History | 33 | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 79 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 13 | — | — |
| Music | 7 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 27 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 15 | — | — |
| Physics | 37 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 13 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6 | — | — |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| Social Sciences, Other | — | — | — |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 38 | — | — |
| Statistics | 36 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Minnesota
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macalester College | Saint Paul | $27,851 | 29% | $69,951 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter | $24,148 | 61% | $67,649 |
| Bethel University | Saint Paul | $30,995 | 88% | $69,827 |
| Concordia College at Moorhead | Moorhead | $22,280 | 63% | $62,622 |
| Hamline University | Saint Paul | $22,756 | 88% | $64,996 |
| The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth | $26,830 | 93% | $72,044 |
| St Catherine University | Saint Paul | $19,090 | 92% | $64,729 |
| Augsburg University | Minneapolis | $23,390 | 82% | $63,332 |
About Carleton College
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Northfield, MN |
| Setting | Town (distant) |
| Undergraduates | 2,086 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 8 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | carleton.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Carleton College's acceptance rate?
Carleton College admits 20% of applicants, making it selective. Admitted students average 1,517 on the SAT.
How much does Carleton College cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $89,204 a year (tuition and fees: $72,069). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $25,295 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $12,275.
How much do Carleton College graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $82,742 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 1st of 38 similar colleges in Minnesota. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer science ($88,594 a year after graduation).
What is Carleton College's graduation rate?
89% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 96% of first-year students return for a second year.