Campus Vibe
Highly selective — strong graduate outcomes
Carleton College is a private institution in Northfield with particular strength in computer science and biology. With an average SAT of 1491, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 2K undergraduates with a 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.
91% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $75,525 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $27,320.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Carleton College Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1491
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
56.6%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$15,960
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
14
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (36)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
96%
- •96% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Knights
History & Fun Facts
- •History The school was founded in 1866, when the Minnesota Conference of Congregational Churches unanimously accepted a resolution to locate a college in Northfield.
- •Two Northfield businessmen, Charles Augustus Wheaton and Charles Moorehouse Goodsell, each donated 10 acres (4 ha) of land for the first campus.
- •The first students enrolled at the preparatory unit of Northfield College in the fall of 1867.
- •In 1870, the first college president, James Strong, traveled to the East Coast to raise funds for the college.
- •Impressed by Strong's survival of the accident, Carleton donated $50,000 to the fledgling institution in 1871.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
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