Carleton College vs. Lawrence

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

Carleton College
Lawrence University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 63.9%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,047 at Carleton College vs $27,161 at Lawrence. Carleton College in-state tuition is about $11,910 more per year.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Lawrence 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Lawrence $45,600 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Lawrence University
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Lawrence63.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Lawrence1200-1420
Average net price
About even
Carleton College$28,047
Lawrence$27,161
In-state tuition
Lawrence $11,910 less
Carleton College$68,892
Lawrence$56,982
Out-of-state tuition
Lawrence $11,910 less
Carleton College$68,892
Lawrence$56,982
Graduation rate
Carleton College +16 pts
Carleton College93%
Lawrence77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$20,000
Carleton College$65,600
Lawrence$45,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Lawrence 3,270
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Lawrence 2,091
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Lawrence 63.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Lawrence 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Lawrence 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Lawrence 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Lawrence 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Lawrence A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Lawrence Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Lawrence Low
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Lawrence 1200-1420
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Lawrence 24-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Lawrence Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Lawrence Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Lawrence $12,165
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Lawrence $27,161
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Lawrence $42,688
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Lawrence 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Lawrence 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Lawrence $45,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Lawrence 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Lawrence $27,350
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Lawrence $282
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Lawrence 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Lawrence
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Lawrence Appleton, WI
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Lawrence Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Lawrence 1,417
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Lawrence Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Lawrence #202

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 30.8% lower than at Carleton College ($12,165 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Carleton College than at Lawrence University (about $11,910 more per year; $68,892 vs. $56,982).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($56,846 vs. $42,688).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Carleton College than at Lawrence (33 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Lawrence.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Lawrence (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,850 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,350).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($201 vs. $282).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 76%).

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

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