Carleton College vs. Cornell

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

Carleton College
Cornell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cornell. Average net price is $26,361 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Cornell 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Cornell $98,400 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Cornell University
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Cornell8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Cornell1500-1570
Average net price
Cornell $1,686 less
Carleton College$28,047
Cornell$26,361
In-state tuition
Carleton College $422 less
Carleton College$68,892
Cornell$69,314
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $422 less
Carleton College$68,892
Cornell$69,314
Graduation rate
Carleton College +0 pts
Carleton College93%
Cornell93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$32,800
Carleton College$65,600
Cornell$98,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Cornell 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Cornell 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Cornell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Cornell Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Cornell Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Cornell Required
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Cornell $61,779
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Cornell 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Cornell 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Cornell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Cornell $124
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Cornell Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Cornell #19

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 9.5% lower than at Cornell University ($17,586 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Cornell than at Carleton College (about $422 more per year; $69,314 vs. $68,892).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Cornell University (59% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($61,779 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Cornell than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Carleton College, required at Cornell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Carleton College students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Cornell (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($12,000 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($124 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 87%).

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

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