Carleton College vs. St. Cloud State University

Carleton College and Saint Cloud State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Carleton College
Saint Cloud State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 94.8%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1140.
  • Cheaper after aid: St. Cloud State University. Average net price is $14,735 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs St. Cloud State University 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs St. Cloud State University $46,700 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Saint Cloud State University
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
St. Cloud State University94.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
St. Cloud State University1025-1260
Average net price
St. Cloud State University $13,312 less
Carleton College$28,047
St. Cloud State University$14,735
In-state tuition
St. Cloud State University $58,647 less
Carleton College$68,892
St. Cloud State University$10,245
Out-of-state tuition
St. Cloud State University $58,647 less
Carleton College$68,892
St. Cloud State University$10,245
Graduation rate
Carleton College +45 pts
Carleton College93%
St. Cloud State University48%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$18,900
Carleton College$65,600
St. Cloud State University$46,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • St. Cloud State University 5,976
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • St. Cloud State University 5,665
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • St. Cloud State University 94.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • St. Cloud State University 16.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • St. Cloud State University 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • St. Cloud State University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • St. Cloud State University 3.4
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • St. Cloud State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • St. Cloud State University Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • St. Cloud State University
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • St. Cloud State University 1025-1260
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • St. Cloud State University 17-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • St. Cloud State University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • St. Cloud State University $10,596
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • St. Cloud State University $14,735
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • St. Cloud State University $7,036
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • St. Cloud State University 84%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • St. Cloud State University 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • St. Cloud State University $46,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • St. Cloud State University 67%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • St. Cloud State University $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • St. Cloud State University $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • St. Cloud State University 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • St. Cloud State University
    • Business (27%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • St. Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • St. Cloud State University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • St. Cloud State University 10,732
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • St. Cloud State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • St. Cloud State University #704

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Saint Cloud State University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (10,732 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Saint Cloud State University is in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Cloud State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Saint Cloud State University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 39.7% lower than at Carleton College ($10,596 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 572.4% higher at Carleton College than at Saint Cloud State University (about $58,647 more per year; $68,892 vs. $10,245).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Cloud State University than at Carleton College (84% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 707.9% larger than aid received by Saint Cloud State University students ($56,846 vs. $7,036).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 12 points higher at Carleton College than at St. Cloud State University (33 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and St. Cloud State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.5 higher than at St. Cloud State University (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 16.6% at St. Cloud State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than St. Cloud State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Cloud State University graduates ($201 vs. $232).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 67%).

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

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