Carleton College vs. MSOE

Carleton College and Milwaukee School of Engineering side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Carleton College
Milwaukee School of Engineering

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 58.9%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1280.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSOE. Average net price is $25,669 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs MSOE 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs MSOE $68,900 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Milwaukee School of Engineering
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
MSOE58.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
MSOE1160-1405
Average net price
MSOE $2,378 less
Carleton College$28,047
MSOE$25,669
In-state tuition
MSOE $18,412 less
Carleton College$68,892
MSOE$50,480
Out-of-state tuition
MSOE $18,412 less
Carleton College$68,892
MSOE$50,480
Graduation rate
Carleton College +36 pts
Carleton College93%
MSOE57%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSOE +$3,300
Carleton College$65,600
MSOE$68,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • MSOE 6,287
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • MSOE 3,705
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • MSOE 58.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • MSOE 17.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • MSOE 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • MSOE 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • MSOE 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • MSOE A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • MSOE Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • MSOE Low
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • MSOE 1160-1405
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • MSOE 24-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • MSOE Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • MSOE Sep 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • MSOE $13,984
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • MSOE $25,669
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • MSOE $36,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • MSOE 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • MSOE 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • MSOE $68,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • MSOE 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • MSOE $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • MSOE $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • MSOE 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • MSOE
    • Engineering (66%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Communication (1%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • MSOE Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • MSOE Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • MSOE 2,953
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • MSOE Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • MSOE #230

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 20.5% lower than at Carleton College ($13,984 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 36.5% higher at Carleton College than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $18,412 more per year; $68,892 vs. $50,480).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($56,846 vs. $36,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Carleton College than at MSOE (33 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Carleton College, test-free at MSOE.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at MSOE (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 83%).

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

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