Overview
Carleton College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, is known for its unique trimester system that provides students with flexibility in their academic scheduling. The campus features the Cowling Arboretum, an 800-acre natural area that offers students opportunities for research, recreation, and environmental stewardship.
There are currently 2,019 undergraduates at Carleton and the school’s acceptance rate is 22%. The tuition at Carleton is $65,457.
Liberal Arts
Town
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$84,893
$57,573
$27,320
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$84,893The sticker price at Carleton is $84,893. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Carleton would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Carleton College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Carleton you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Carleton is 002340 and the CSS Profile Code is 6081.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Minnesota scholarshipsCarleton College QuestBridge Scholarships
Carleton is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Carleton College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Carleton College? Carleton offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Carleton's website for more information!
Midwest Student Tuition Exchange
Carleton is in a state that participates in the Midwest Student Exchange. That means that if you are a resident of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you may qualify for discounted tuition at Carleton. This program applies to both private and public institutions, although the discount at private institutions is lower. Check their website for more information on eligibility and what your discount would be.
Pell Grants at Carleton College
14% of students at Carleton College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Carleton. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Carleton College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Carleton, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.carleton.edu/financial-aid/
- Email: financialaid@carleton.edu
- Phone: 507-222-4138
Admissions
22%
33
1467
Coalition Colleges
Carleton is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Carleton via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Carleton College charge an application fee?
Good news! Carleton College does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend Carleton College, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.
Is Carleton test-optional?
Carleton College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What is the application deadline at Carleton?
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
8:1
Graduation Rate
91%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
18%
18% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
14%
14% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
13%
13% of graduates
Physical Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Mathematics
8%
8% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
7%
7% of graduates
Psychology
6%
6% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
5%
5% of graduates
English Language & Literature
5%
5% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,019
Pell Grant 14%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 49% / 51%
Ethnic Diversity at Carleton
52% White
10% Asian / Pacific Islander
10% Hispanic
10% International / Non-Citizen
9% Multiracial
7% Black
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$75,525
Median Debt $16,750
Debt 10 years after graduation $178
Graduation Rate 91%
What is the graduation rate at Carleton College?
91% of students who start at Carleton College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 33% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Carleton College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Carleton College is $75,525. This is $25,134 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Carleton College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Carleton take out in loans?
Graduates of Carleton take out a median of $16,750 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Carleton College and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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