Carleton College is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Northfield, Minnesota with 2,086 undergraduates. It admits 20% of applicants, costs an average of $25,295 a year after grants and graduates 89% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Carleton College acceptance rate and admissions
Carleton College admitted 20% of applicants for fall 2024, about 1 in 5. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 720 to 770, math 730 to 790). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Carleton College application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early decision | Nov 15, 2026 |
| Early decision II | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Regular decision | Jan 15, 2027 |
Next deadline: Early decision, Nov 15, 2026. Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Carleton College’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Carleton College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $72,069 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $18,393 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $89,204 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $25,295 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $25,295 a year after grants and scholarships, $63,909 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Carleton College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Carleton College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 89% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $82,742 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $18,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 22% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Carleton College majors and what graduates earn
Carleton College awarded bachelor's degrees in 30 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from economics ($87,193).
All 30 majors at Carleton College
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Students and location
- 2,086 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 50% women, 50% men
- 8 students for every faculty member
- Setting: distant town
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Carleton College?
Carleton College admitted 20% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Carleton College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $72,069. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $25,295 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Carleton College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 720 to 770 in reading and writing and 730 to 790 in math, and 32 to 34 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Carleton College test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Carleton College reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Carleton College?
89% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Carleton College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $82,742 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Minnesota · Carleton College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.