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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%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 31.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about Carleton College.
Quick Facts
2,128
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$68,457
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
90%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most essential facts you should know about admission at Carleton College.
According to the most recent data, this institution 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 if the applicant chooses to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 34% and ACT scores 25%. 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 incoming freshmen 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
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is March 31.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Carleton College was 96.5%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 90%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right match for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Carleton College in 2025 was 2,128.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 78. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 2,128, 217 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 8 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,040 male and 1,067 female full-time students in 2025.
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. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 214 Asian students and 123 Afro-American students in 2025. 210 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 184 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who declared 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
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Carleton College estimated tuition price.
Tuition in 2025 was $68,457 for full-time domestic students. Carleton College is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $435 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $939.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At Carleton College, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,586. If you only wanted a dorm room, you had to pay $9,282 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 68,457 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,586 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 939 |
| Total Expense | $ 86,982 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for many students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Carleton College, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 277 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $68,956 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,165 students secured 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 was found 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. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
9 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 5 full-time freshman. 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. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,030,052 USD.
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
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
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 faculty of this school consists of 268 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 121 men and 147 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has 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 social life at Carleton College.
Its campus spans 955 acres.
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.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 203. The most popular student organization is Asian Athletics Association, followed by WHIMS (Women in Math and Science) and Carleton Juggling F.I.S.H.. Other popular organizations at Carleton College are First Generation and CANOE (Carleton Association of Nature and Outdoor Enthusiasts).
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for 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.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical 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
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 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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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Carleton College is 68,457 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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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.
