Head-to-head comparison
Carleton College vs. Vassar College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Carleton or Vassar harder to get into?
Vassar is harder to get into than Carleton. Vassar's 18.6% acceptance rate is lower than Carleton's 20.4%.
Which is cheaper, Carleton or Vassar?
Carleton costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Carleton's average net price is $25,407 vs $39,343 at Vassar.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Carleton graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $75,525 at Carleton and $71,366 at Vassar.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Carleton | Vassar |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 20.4% | 18.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1450–1560 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,893 | $87,419 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $25,407 | $39,343 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,086 | 2,444 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 89.6% | 91.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $75,525 | $71,366 |
| Setting | Northfield, Minnesota | Poughkeepsie, New York |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Vassar is modestly harder to get into. The 1.8-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Carleton is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $13,936 per year, $55,744 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; Vassar is in Poughkeepsie, New York. 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 has a more international student body (10.4% non-resident students vs 6.1%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Carleton is 50.3% women, 10.4% international, and 10.3% Asian-American. Vassar is 61.7% women, 6.1% international, and 11.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Carleton | Vassar |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 50.3% | 61.7% |
| International | 10.4% | 6.1% |
| White | 51.0% | 54.0% |
| Asian | 10.3% | 11.7% |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 13.6% |
| Black | 5.9% | 3.8% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Carleton vs. Vassar?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Carleton if
- Your odds are realistic at Carleton (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Carleton costs $13,936 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($75,525 vs $71,366)
- the trimester system
Pick Vassar if
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the open curriculum
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
Vassar College
18.6% accept · Poughkeepsie, New York
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.