Carleton College vs. Fisk University

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

Carleton College
Fisk University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 37.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Fisk University. Average net price is $18,595 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Fisk University 45%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Fisk University $35,900 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Fisk University
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Fisk University37.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Fisk University1140-1510
Average net price
Fisk University $9,452 less
Carleton College$28,047
Fisk University$18,595
In-state tuition
Fisk University $43,034 less
Carleton College$68,892
Fisk University$25,858
Out-of-state tuition
Fisk University $43,034 less
Carleton College$68,892
Fisk University$25,858
Graduation rate
Carleton College +48 pts
Carleton College93%
Fisk University45%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$29,700
Carleton College$65,600
Fisk University$35,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Fisk University 11,421
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Fisk University 4,274
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Fisk University 37.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Fisk University 8.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Fisk University 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Fisk University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Fisk University 3.1
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Fisk University B
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Fisk University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Fisk University High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Fisk University 1140-1510
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Fisk University 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Fisk University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Fisk University Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Fisk University $25,858
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Fisk University $25,858
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Fisk University $14,540
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Fisk University $18,595
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Fisk University $22,811
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Fisk University 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Fisk University 45%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Fisk University $35,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Fisk University 38%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Fisk University $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Fisk University $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Fisk University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Fisk University
    • Business (21%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Psychology (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Fisk University Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Fisk University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Fisk University 1,059
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Fisk University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Fisk University #562

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Fisk University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Fisk University based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,059 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Fisk University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fisk University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Fisk University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fisk University are 17.3% lower than at Carleton College ($14,540 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 166.4% higher at Carleton College than at Fisk University (about $43,034 more per year; $68,892 vs. $25,858).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fisk University than at Carleton College (87% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 149.2% larger than aid received by Fisk University students ($56,846 vs. $22,811).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 12 points higher at Carleton College than at Fisk University (33 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Fisk University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Fisk University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.8 higher than at Fisk University (3.1).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 8.8% at Fisk University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Fisk University graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisk University graduates ($201 vs. $268).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisk University students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 38%).

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

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