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Carleton College

Carleton College

Northfield, MN · Town · 2,086 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision (binding) · in 44 days
Checked Sep 2026 · carleton.edu
$25,407
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
90%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$75,525
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
20%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Carleton College is a premier national liberal arts institution renowned for exceptional undergraduate teaching, a collaborative academic environment, and one of the highest per-capita rates of graduates who go on to earn doctorates. Operating on a fast-paced trimester calendar, the college features standout programs across the natural sciences, computer science, economics, and the humanities, with all students completing a rigorous senior capstone project known as "Comps." Campus culture in Northfield is famously quirky, unpretentious, and tight-knit, where intellectually curious "Carls" balance intense academics with spirited traditions and access to the adjacent 800-acre Cowling Arboretum.

Wikipedia:Carleton College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1866, the 200-acre (81 ha) main campus is between Northfield and the approximately 800-acre (320 ha) Cowling Arboretum, which became part of the campus in the 1920s.

Location
Northfield, MN, 55057 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MSP · Minneapolis
29 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$68,892
Housing & food (on campus)$17,586
Books & supplies$938
Cost of attendance$97,870
Average net price$25,407
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$68,892
Housing & food (on campus)$17,586
Books & supplies$938
Cost of attendance$97,870
Average net price$25,407
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.carleton.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Carleton College’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$75,186
Fees$480
Housing$10,194
Food$9,120
Books & supplies$2,040
Transportation$850
Total published by the school$97,870
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$7,881
$30–48k
$8,203
$48–75k
$9,680
$75–110k
$18,485
$110k+
$44,082
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
90%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
82%
Back for yr 2
96%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
91% graduated · 7% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$53,989
10 yrs after entry$75,525
Debt
Median at graduation$16,750
Monthly payment$178
Middle 50% owe$12k–$23.5k
90th percentile$27,121
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
20%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1517
R 720–770 · M 730–790
ACT midpoint
33
Comp 32–34 · E 34–35 · M 29–34
SAT middle 50%: 1450–1560
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision
Nov 15 2026
binding in 44 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 15 2027
in 105 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · carleton.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

If Carleton College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 50%Women 50%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
8 : 1
Pell grant
17%
First-gen
16%
Family income
$78,779
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
51%
Hispanic
10%
Black
6%
Asian
10%
Two or more
9%
Non-resident
10%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$53,989
After 10 yrs
$75,525
Computer Science80
Biology, General65
International Relations and National Security Studies40
Mathematics39
Chemistry38
Economics37
Research and Experimental Psychology29
Fine and Studio Arts25
English Language and Literature, General23
Sociology and Anthropology23
Statistics21
Area Studies18
Natural Resources Conservation and Research16
Physics16
History15
Film/Video and Photographic Arts14
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.3B
Full-time faculty
87%
Faculty salary
$13,960/mo
Teaching spend
$40,626
per student
Federal loans
43%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$5M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Carleton College is the right fit for you?

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