Carleton College vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 405 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 15.5% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($17,586 vs. $20,810).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Carleton College than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $2,494 more per year; $68,892 vs. $66,398).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($56,846 vs. $43,290).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Olin College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Carleton College students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Olin College (3.9).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $4,790 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,710 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($152 vs. $201).

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