Carleton College vs. Oberlin

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

Carleton College
Oberlin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 34.2%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Oberlin 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Oberlin $43,900 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Oberlin College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Oberlin34.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Oberlin1360-1520
Average net price
Carleton College $23,577 less
Carleton College$28,047
Oberlin$51,624
In-state tuition
Oberlin $1,526 less
Carleton College$68,892
Oberlin$67,366
Out-of-state tuition
Oberlin $1,526 less
Carleton College$68,892
Oberlin$67,366
Graduation rate
Carleton College +5 pts
Carleton College93%
Oberlin88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$21,700
Carleton College$65,600
Oberlin$43,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Oberlin 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Oberlin 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Oberlin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Oberlin High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Oberlin 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Oberlin 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Oberlin 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Oberlin $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Oberlin #153

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Oberlin College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 9.9% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,586 vs. $19,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Carleton College than at Oberlin College (about $1,526 more per year; $68,892 vs. $67,366).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Carleton College (99% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 58.9% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($56,846 vs. $35,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carleton College than at Oberlin (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Oberlin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,579).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($201 vs. $274).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 82%).

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

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