Overview
Northfield, MN 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 2,007 undergraduates at Carleton and the school’s acceptance rate is 17%. The tuition at Carleton is $62,634.
Liberal Arts
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$81,350
$50,512
$30,838
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$81,350for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Carleton is $81,350. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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
Students who are applying for financial aid at Carleton need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Carleton is 002340 and the CSS Profile Code is 6081.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
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Carleton 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
15% of students at Carleton College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Carleton College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Carleton students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Carleton College Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Carleton or have questions that are specific to your personal 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: [email protected]
- Phone: 507-222-4138
Admissions
17%
33
1467 is the median SAT score and 33 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Carleton. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
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 it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Carleton College?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Carleton College receive between a 32 and a 35 on their ACT, or a 1405 and a 1540 on their SAT.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Carleton?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Carleton during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Carleton students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Carleton?
Applying to Carleton with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
8:1
Graduation Rate
91%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
19%
19% of graduates
Physical Sciences
16%
16% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Mathematics
10%
10% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,007
Pell Grant 14%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 50% / 50%
Ethnic Diversity at Carleton
52% White
10% Asian / Pacific Islander
10% International / Non-Citizen
10% Hispanic
9% Multiracial
7% Black
3% 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 end up finishing 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?
10 years after starting school at Carleton College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $75,525. This is $25,134 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Carleton take out in loans?
Graduates of Carleton have to take out a median of $16,750 in federal student loans. This is $3,250 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
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