Carleton College vs. Colgate

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

Carleton College
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,047 at Carleton College vs $28,736 at Colgate. Colgate in-state tuition is about $1,414 more per year.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
About even
Carleton College$28,047
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Carleton College $1,414 less
Carleton College$68,892
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $1,414 less
Carleton College$68,892
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Carleton College +1 pts
Carleton College93%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$9,700
Carleton College$65,600
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colgate University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 0.1% lower than at Colgate University ($17,586 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Colgate than at Carleton College (about $1,414 more per year; $70,306 vs. $68,892).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Colgate University (59% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($58,334 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Carleton College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Colgate (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $3,375 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($16,125 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($166 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 86%).

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

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