Head-to-head comparison
Carleton College vs. Skidmore College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Carleton or Skidmore harder to get into?
Carleton is harder to get into than Skidmore. Carleton's 20.4% acceptance rate is lower than Skidmore's 21.1%.
Which is cheaper, Carleton or Skidmore?
Carleton costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Carleton's average net price is $25,407 vs $32,297 at Skidmore.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Carleton graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $75,525 at Carleton and $69,363 at Skidmore.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Carleton | Skidmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 20.4% | 21.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1450–1560 | 1340–1480 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 31–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,893 | $85,270 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $25,407 | $32,297 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,086 | 2,694 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 89.6% | 82.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $75,525 | $69,363 |
| Setting | Northfield, Minnesota | Saratoga Springs, NY |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Carleton's 20.4% acceptance rate and Skidmore's 21.1% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Carleton draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1560 vs 1480 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Carleton is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $6,890 per year, $27,560 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Carleton is in Northfield, Minnesota; Skidmore is in Saratoga Springs, NY. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Carleton's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (89.6% vs 82.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Carleton is 50.3% women, 10.4% international, and 10.3% Asian-American. Skidmore is 59.9% women, 7.4% international, and 5.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Carleton | Skidmore |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 50.3% | 59.9% |
| International | 10.4% | 7.4% |
| White | 51.0% | 64.3% |
| Asian | 10.3% | 5.9% |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 10.5% |
| Black | 5.9% | 4.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Carleton vs. Skidmore?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Carleton if
- Net price matters: Carleton costs $6,890 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($75,525 vs $69,363)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the trimester system
Pick Skidmore if
- Your odds are realistic at Skidmore (slightly easier admit)
- the Saratoga Springs campus
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Carleton College
20.4% accept · Northfield, Minnesota
Full profile
Skidmore College
21.1% accept · Saratoga Springs, NY
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.