# Carleton College

Northfield, MN. Source page: https://www.dreamschool.co/colleges/carleton-college

Carleton College is a private nonprofit college in Northfield, MN with 2,086 undergraduates. It admits 20% of applicants, and admitted students average 1517 on the SAT. The average net price after aid is $25,295 per year ($12,275 for families earning under $30,000). 89% of students graduate, and graduates earn a median of $82,742 ten years after enrolling.

## Key facts

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Admission rate | 20% (Fall 2024) |
| Testing policy | Test optional (considered if submitted) (Fall 2024) |
| Applicants | 6,464 (Fall 2023) |
| Admitted | 1,440 (Fall 2023) |
| SAT Reading & Writing (middle 50%) | 720–770 (Fall 2024) |
| SAT Math (middle 50%) | 730–790 (Fall 2024) |
| ACT Composite (middle 50%) | 32–34 (Fall 2024) |
| Cost of attendance | $89,204 (2024-25) |
| Average net price | $25,295 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $12,275 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $11,313 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $18,924 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $18,309 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $37,770 (2024-25) |
| Undergraduates | 2,086 (Fall 2024) |
| Graduation rate | 89% (Fall 2019) |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $82,742 (2023) |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,000 (FY2024) |

## What Carleton College considers in admissions (Fall 2023)

- High school record: Required
- High school GPA: Considered
- College-prep coursework: Required
- Class rank: Considered
- Essay or personal statement: Required
- Recommendations: Required
- Demonstrated competencies: Considered
- Legacy status: Considered
- Work experience: Considered
- English proficiency test: Required

## FAQ

**What is Carleton College's acceptance rate?**

Carleton College admits 20% of applicants, which makes it very selective.

**What SAT score do you need for Carleton College?**

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 720–770 on SAT Reading and Writing and 730–790 on SAT Math; the average total is 1517.

**What ACT score do you need for Carleton College?**

The middle 50% ACT composite range for admitted students is 32–34.

**Is Carleton College test optional?**

Test optional (considered if submitted).

**How many students apply to Carleton College?**

In Fall 2023, 6,464 students applied to Carleton College and 1,440 were admitted; 538 enrolled.

**Does Carleton College consider legacy status?**

Yes. Carleton College reported that legacy status is considered in admissions (Fall 2023).

**Does Carleton College require an essay?**

Carleton College reported that an essay or personal statement is required for admission (Fall 2023).

**How much does Carleton College cost?**

The sticker cost of attendance is $89,204 per year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,295.

**What is Carleton College's graduation rate?**

89% of full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.


## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution-Level Data), released 2026-10-15: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- IPEDS Admissions survey (ADM2023): https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/DataFiles.aspx
- IPEDS unit ID 173258. Methodology: https://www.dreamschool.co/methodology