Amherst vs. Carleton College

Amherst College and Carleton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Amherst $8,998 less
Amherst$19,049
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Carleton College $1,588 less
Amherst$70,480
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $1,588 less
Amherst$70,480
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Amherst +3 pts
Amherst96%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$16,400
Amherst$82,000
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 4.4% lower than at Amherst College ($17,586 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Amherst than at Carleton College (about $1,588 more per year; $70,480 vs. $68,892).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College as at Carleton College (59% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 20.7% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($68,591 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($134 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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