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Northfield , MN
Carleton College is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. Established in 1866, Carleton is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, vibrant campus community, and commitment to fostering critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. With an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students, Carleton provides a close-knit and inclusive environment where students can develop their interests and thrive academically.
One of the distinguishing features of Carleton College is its academic excellence. The college offers more than 33 majors and 31 minors, covering various disciplines in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Carleton's rigorous curriculum is designed to challenge students intellectually while promoting interdisciplinary exploration. The small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratio foster close relationships between students and professors, allowing for personalized attention and mentorship.
Beyond its academic offerings, Carleton College offers a vibrant campus life. The college is home to a diverse range of student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams that cater to a wide array of interests. From participating in varsity sports to joining academic clubs or pursuing artistic endeavors, Carleton provides numerous opportunities for students to engage, collaborate, and form lasting friendships. The college also fosters a strong sense of community through its traditions, such as the annual ôPrimal Screamö and ôGreat Con,ö which bring students together to celebrate and connect.
In summary, Carleton College offers an exceptional liberal arts education characterized by rigorous academics, a tight-knit community, and a supportive and stimulating campus environment. With its emphasis on critical thinking, interdisciplinary exploration, and intellectual curiosity, Carleton prepares students for a wide range of careers and provides them with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the modern world. With a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement, Carleton College provides its students with a transformative learning experience.
Carleton College is a private four-year college located in Northfield, MN. This academic institution uses a trimester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 20%. The freshman retention rate at Carleton College is 96.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 90%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is March 31.
To find out more about what Carleton College has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
2,128
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$68,457
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
90%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Here are the most relevant facts you should know about admission at Carleton College.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,456 in 2025. Carleton College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant.
Test Scores
34% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 25% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 96% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 4% between 1,200 and 1,399, 1.1% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 96, 4 between 24-29 and 2 in the range between 18-23.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to Carleton College is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 31.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Carleton College was 96.5% in 2025, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 90%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 2,128 students.
That year, the school had 78% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 2,128 undergrad students, including 217 international students. 8 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,040 male and 1,067 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 214, while the number of African American students was 123. 210 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 184 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 72 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $68,457 in 2025. Since Carleton College is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $435 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to allocate about $939 for books and supplies during their time at Carleton College.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at Carleton College amounted to $17,586 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $9,282, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 68,457 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,586 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 939 |
| Total Expense | $ 86,982 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial help available to students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Carleton College.
According to the most recent data, 277 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $68,956.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
1,165 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Carleton College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,165. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $2,814,534, and state $660,689. The students of Carleton College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $66,176,082, and external in the amount of $1,526,308.
$7,955
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
9 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 5 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $786,925. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,030,052 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Carleton College was 9:1. That means that there were 9 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 268. This number included 121 men and 147 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Carleton College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Carleton College: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about campus life at Carleton College.
Its campus is 955 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 203 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The student organization that is most favored by students is Asian Athletics Association, followed by WHIMS (Women in Math and Science) and Carleton Juggling F.I.S.H.. Other popular student organizations at this school are First Generation and CANOE (Carleton Association of Nature and Outdoor Enthusiasts).
For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. Interested in media and communication? Carleton College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Carleton College, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a 24-hour security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Carleton College.
All in all, campus life at Carleton College is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Carleton College.
Career Counselling
At Carleton College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 57,357 USD.
$57,357
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN.
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Carleton College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Carleton College is 68,457 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Carleton College is 20%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Carleton College is 96.5%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.