Carleton College
PrivateNorthfield, MN
Located in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private small school with roughly 2,086 undergraduates. Carleton College is selective, with an acceptance rate near 20%. Among reported majors, Economics shows the strongest outcomes -- $87,193/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing is mandatory here.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against Carleton College's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow Carleton College weighs your application
From Carleton College's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Carleton College weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does Carleton College look for in applicants?
Per Carleton College's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, class rank, rigor of secondary school record, character/personal qualities, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is Carleton College's acceptance rate?
Carleton College in Northfield, MN admits approximately 20% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Carleton College?
Admitted students at Carleton College typically score between 1450–1560 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Carleton College?
Admitted students at Carleton College typically score between 32–34 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Carleton College cost?
Carleton College's total cost of attendance is reported at $84,893 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for Carleton College?
Carleton College's earliest deadline is Nov 15, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Carleton College require students to live on campus?
Yes -- Carleton College requires students to live in on-campus housing.
Comparing Carleton College against another school?
Open the comparison view