Liberal Arts · Northfield, Minnesota
Carleton College
Selective. 20.4% acceptance rate.
Calculate your Carleton oddsHow hard is it to get into Carleton?
Carleton is selective, with a 20.4% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1450–1560 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 20.4% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1450–1560 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,893 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $25,407 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,086 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 89.6% |
| Median earnings (10 yrs after entry) | $75,525 |
| Type | Private · Liberal Arts |
| Setting | Distant town |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Carleton's 20.4% acceptance rate puts it in the selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1450–1560 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1560, and a quarter scored below 1450. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at Carleton?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorCarleton Test Score Profile
Admitted students score in the following ranges across SAT sections:
SAT Reading
720–770
25th–75th percentile
SAT Math
730–790
25th–75th percentile
Strong applicants tend to score above the 75th percentile in their stronger section and at or above the 25th percentile in their weaker one. Both numbers are descriptive, not prescriptive. Plenty of admitted students score below the 25th percentile in one section, especially with strong context elsewhere.
Beyond the Numbers
Carleton is best known for the trimester system, strong STEM within a liberal arts setting, and the Arb natural area. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Class Profile
The undergraduate population at Carleton breaks down as follows according to federal IPEDS data:
Race & ethnicity
These percentages reflect the enrolled student body, not the applicant pool. Admit rates by demographic differ from the headline rate, and the school's composition is the result of its full holistic review process.
Cost & Financial Aid
The published cost of attendance at Carleton is $84,893 per year before aid. After grants and scholarships, the average student pays $25,407per year. The sticker price isn't the number that matters for most families.
Net price by family income
What the average student actually pays per year, after grants:
| Family income $0–30K | $7,881 |
| Family income $30K–48K | $8,203 |
| Family income $48K–75K | $9,680 |
| Family income $75K–110K | $18,485 |
| Family income $110K+ | $44,082 |
Highly selective private universities tend to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, often without loans, for families below specific income thresholds. The number that matters for your family is your net price, which can be estimated using the school's own net price calculator before applying.
Outcomes
Federal data on what happens after enrollment at Carleton:
Graduation rate
89.6%
6-year (federal IPEDS)
Median earnings
$75,525
10 yrs after entry
Median debt
$16,750
Among completers
16.5% of students receive a Pell Grant (federal need-based aid), and 43.4%take federal loans. These rates are useful proxies for the school's socioeconomic mix and how much most families end up borrowing.
Carleton essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise Carleton essays with tools tuned to Carleton's prompts.
Carleton vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Liberal Arts schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton This page | 20.4% | 1450–1560 | $25,407 |
| Amherst | 9.0% | 1490–1580 | $23,367 |
| Williams | 8.3% | 1490–1570 | $17,716 |
| Pomona | 7.1% | 1490–1560 | $19,285 |
| Swarthmore | 7.5% | 1490–1560 | $23,149 |
| Bowdoin | 7.1% | 1470–1550 | $14,398 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Carleton?
Carleton is selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 20.4%. Admitted students score in the 1450–1560 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for Carleton?
Admitted students at Carleton typically score between 1450 and 1560 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1560, and a quarter scored below 1450. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
How much does Carleton cost?
The published cost of attendance at Carleton is $84,893 per year before financial aid. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,407. Most highly selective schools meet 100% of demonstrated need for families below specific income thresholds.
What is the graduation rate at Carleton?
89.6% of students at Carleton graduate within 6 years (the standard federal graduation rate metric).
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with Carleton's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- Carleton College official admissions site — for the most current published figures and application requirements.
- Carleton Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect Carleton's most recent publicly published admit cycle.