One North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057
United States
Bachelor's Degree
About
Carleton College is committed to providing a true liberal arts education—a curriculum that challenges our students to learn broadly and think deeply. Instead of training for one narrow career path, Carleton students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in any walk of life.
The most important thing our students gain is how to learn for a lifetime. Critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, effective communication: are the tools that transform a collection of facts and figures into a way of understanding the world. Carleton’s faculty members are highly respected scholars, researchers, and practitioners in their fields. But above all, their first priority is teaching.
Every course at Carleton is taught by a professor—not a teaching assistant—in classes small enough to offer individual attention for our students. A student-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 ensures that Carleton students have plenty of opportunities for interaction with their professors.
Carleton’s student body is notoriously difficult to categorize, but if we had to choose just one word to describe them, it would be curious. They’re an intellectually insatiable group that approaches learning with enthusiasm, energy, and a uniquely Carleton brand of playfulness. Broad-ranging interests are common, and friendships seem to cross all traditional boundaries.
When people visit Carleton, they’re often surprised by the warmth and closeness of the campus community. Somehow they expect a leading liberal arts college to feel more formidable and competitive.
But as our students and alumni will tell you, there’s just something different about Carleton. Maybe it’s our small size. Or maybe it’s the round-the-clock proximity of so many creative minds.
Whatever the reason, Carleton is a place where students are likelier to cooperate than compete — and where working hard doesn’t mean forgetting how to play.
The most important thing our students gain is how to learn for a lifetime. Critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, effective communication: are the tools that transform a collection of facts and figures into a way of understanding the world. Carleton’s faculty members are highly respected scholars, researchers, and practitioners in their fields. But above all, their first priority is teaching.
Every course at Carleton is taught by a professor—not a teaching assistant—in classes small enough to offer individual attention for our students. A student-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 ensures that Carleton students have plenty of opportunities for interaction with their professors.
Carleton’s student body is notoriously difficult to categorize, but if we had to choose just one word to describe them, it would be curious. They’re an intellectually insatiable group that approaches learning with enthusiasm, energy, and a uniquely Carleton brand of playfulness. Broad-ranging interests are common, and friendships seem to cross all traditional boundaries.
When people visit Carleton, they’re often surprised by the warmth and closeness of the campus community. Somehow they expect a leading liberal arts college to feel more formidable and competitive.
But as our students and alumni will tell you, there’s just something different about Carleton. Maybe it’s our small size. Or maybe it’s the round-the-clock proximity of so many creative minds.
Whatever the reason, Carleton is a place where students are likelier to cooperate than compete — and where working hard doesn’t mean forgetting how to play.
Cost
Living On-Campus
78,265
Average Net Price
$31,718 / year
This is the average annual amount that first-time, full-time undergraduate students pay at this institution after subtracting all grants and scholarships from the cost of attendance.
Show Net Price details
Net cost after grants and scholarships by income
$0-$30,000:
$14,936
$30,001-$48,000:
$15,081
$48,001-$75,000:
$15,054
$75,001-$110,000:
$25,038
Over $110,000:
$44,740
This net price data shows the average amount students have paid, according to their family income, after subtracting all grants and scholarships.
College Profile
Student/Faculty Ratio
8:1
Size of Student Body
1,990
Average Class Size
16
Show Undergraduate Student Body details
Breakdown by Race
Black or African American:
6%
Hispanic:
9%
Asian:
10%
White:
54%
Two or more races:
8%
International Students:
10%
Unknown:
2%
Breakdown by Age
19 and Younger:
48%
20 to 24:
52%
Breakdown by Gender
Men:
49%
Women:
51%
New entering students who are transfers
2%
Student Success
Graduation Rate for Four-Year Programs
91%
Show Graduation Rate 4-yr Institution details
Completers within 6 years by race
Black or African American:
77%
Hispanic:
90%
Asian:
94%
White:
95%
Two or more races:
88%
Completers within 6 years by gender
Men:
91%
Women:
92%
Retention Rate
95%
Show Retention Rate details
Retention Rate By Type
Full-time:
95%
Campus Settings
Financial Aid
Average amount of federal, state, local, institutional or other sources of grant aid awarded to undergraduate students
$40,678
The following information pertains to first-time full-time undergraduate students.
Show Financial Aid details
Average amount of aid awarded to full-time first-time undergraduates
State/Local grant aid:
$5,024
Institutional grant aid:
$41,132
Federal grant aid:
$2,733
Average amount of grant aid awarded by income (all sources)
$0-$30,000:
$68,067
$30,001-$48,000:
$60,865
$48,001-$75,000:
$58,284
$75,001-$110,000:
$51,407
Over $110,000:
$34,394
School Scholarships
Yes
Cumulative Debt
This section shows the median debt graduates incurred to complete their degree at this institution.
Median Cumulative Debt by Degree Type
- Bachelor's Degree: $19,000
Percent of Graduates With Loans
- Bachelor's Degree: 39%
Admission Information
- Common applications (online)
- ACT or SAT
- SAT subject tests recommended
- High School Diploma or GED
- Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Application Essay
- Supplement to the Common Application
- Accepts dual credits
- Accepts exam-based credits
Application Timelines
Financial Aid Application Deadline
January 15 for new students applying Regular Decision. Other Application required: Noncustodial Parent Profile from College Board if applicable, Business/Farm Supplement, if applicable.
Regular Decision Deadline
January 15th
Early Decision Deadline
Fall: November 15th / Winter: January 15th
This profile features institution-wide data. Be aware that some categories may not be showing and that data is suppressed when reporting is for 10 or less students. Most data and terminology is sourced from IPEDS. To learn more about each section, please refer to Data Sources.