Carleton College vs. St Olaf

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

Carleton College
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,047 at Carleton College vs $26,756 at St Olaf. Carleton College in-state tuition is about $9,132 more per year.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Carleton College St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
About even
Carleton College$28,047
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St Olaf $9,132 less
Carleton College$68,892
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $9,132 less
Carleton College$68,892
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
Carleton College +8 pts
Carleton College93%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$11,900
Carleton College$65,600
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Carleton College and St Olaf with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Carleton College Check my chances at St Olaf
  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 22.5% lower than at Carleton College ($13,630 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at Carleton College than at St Olaf College (about $9,132 more per year; $68,892 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 26% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($56,846 vs. $45,098).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Carleton College than at St Olaf (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St Olaf students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 91%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Carleton College
St Olaf College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges