Carleton College vs. Soka University of America

Deciding between Carleton College and Soka University of America? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Carleton College
Soka University of America

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Soka University of America Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Soka University of America 495
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Soka University of America Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Soka University of America
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Carleton College -
  • Soka University of America -
  • Status
  • Carleton College Non-profit
  • Soka University of America Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Carleton College
  • Soka University of America
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Soka University of America $38,728
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Soka University of America $38,728
  • Room & Board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Soka University of America $14,378
  • Average Net Price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Soka University of America $15,691
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Soka University of America $39,373
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Soka University of America 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Soka University of America 634
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Soka University of America 275
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Soka University of America 43.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Soka University of America 45.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Soka University of America 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Soka University of America
  • Average High School GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Soka University of America 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Soka University of America A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Soka University of America Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Soka University of America Low
  • ACT Range
  • Carleton College 32/34
  • Soka University of America
  • SAT Range
  • Carleton College 1450/1560
  • Soka University of America 1333/1510
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Soka University of America Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Soka University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Soka University of America 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Soka University of America
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (100%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Soka University of America 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Soka University of America N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Soka University of America 86%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Soka University of America $22,288
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Soka University of America $230
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Carleton College 49%
  • Soka University of America 39%
  • % Women
  • Carleton College 51%
  • Soka University of America 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Carleton College Medium
  • Soka University of America Very High
  • HBCU
  • Carleton College No
  • Soka University of America No
  • % White
  • Carleton College 63%
  • Soka University of America 20%
  • % Asian
  • Carleton College 8%
  • Soka University of America 17%
  • % Black
  • Carleton College 4%
  • Soka University of America 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Carleton College 7%
  • Soka University of America 10%
  • % Native American
  • Carleton College 0%
  • Soka University of America 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Carleton College 0%
  • Soka University of America 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Carleton College 5%
  • Soka University of America 4%
  • % International
  • Carleton College 10%
  • Soka University of America 40%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Carleton College 2%
  • Soka University of America 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Carleton College 19%
  • Soka University of America 33%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Carleton College 70%
  • Soka University of America 11%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Carleton College Yes
  • Soka University of America Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Carleton College Yes
  • Soka University of America Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Carleton College Yes
  • Soka University of America Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Carleton College No
  • Soka University of America No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Carleton College No
  • Soka University of America No
  • Learn More
  • Carleton College Details
  • Soka University of America Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carleton College is larger than Soka University of America based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 495 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Soka University of America is in Aliso Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Soka University of America 7:1.

Carleton College vs. Soka University of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Soka University of America? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Soka University of America than Carleton College ($15,691 vs. $28,047).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Soka University of America are 18.2% lower than at Carleton College ($14,378 vs. $17,586).
  • Carleton College is 77.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Soka University of America (about $30,164 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $38,728.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 77.9% higher at Carleton College than at Soka University of America (about $30,164 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $38,728.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Soka University of America than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 44.4% larger than aid received by Soka University of America students ($56,846 vs. $39,373).

Carleton College vs. Soka University of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or Soka University of America? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Soka University of America and Carleton College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 90 points higher than at Soka University of America (1420).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Soka University of America 1333/1510.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Soka University of America - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Soka University of America Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Soka University of America (3.7).
  • Soka University of America has a higher acceptance rate (43.4%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 45.8% at Soka University of America.

Carleton College vs. Soka University of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Soka University of America? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Soka University of America's (87%).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,788 lower median loan debt than Soka University of America graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,288).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Soka University of America graduates ($201 vs. $230).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Soka University of America students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 86%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.