Carleton College
Northfield, MN · Town (distant)
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 20.4%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 6,464
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,440
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 538
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 37%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 24%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 21%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 720–770
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 730–790
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 32–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 30% / 27%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $84,893
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,892
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,892
- Median debt at graduation
- $16,750
- Students with federal loans
- 43%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 90%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 96%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $36,775
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $75,525
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 2,086
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 8 : 1
- Women
- 50%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 17%
- Full-time faculty
- 87%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Alison R. Byerly
- Main phone
- (507) 222-4000
- Address
- One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 15 | December 15 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 15 | February 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | April 1 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers
Testing: Permanent test-optional policy as of 2025
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Loans replaced with grants in need-based packages beginning 2027-28
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 34.6% (263 of 760)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 675 / 335 / 33
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: carleton.edu, carleton.edu, carleton.edu, carleton.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.