Carleton College vs. Stanford

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

Carleton College
Stanford University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Stanford (3.6% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Stanford. Average net price is $25,078 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Stanford 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Stanford $122,900 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Stanford University
Acceptance rate
Stanford more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Stanford3.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Stanford higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Stanford1510-1580
Average net price
Stanford $2,969 less
Carleton College$28,047
Stanford$25,078
In-state tuition
Stanford $2,982 less
Carleton College$68,892
Stanford$65,910
Out-of-state tuition
Stanford $2,982 less
Carleton College$68,892
Stanford$65,910
Graduation rate
Stanford +3 pts
Carleton College93%
Stanford96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Stanford +$57,300
Carleton College$65,600
Stanford$122,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Stanford 57,326
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Stanford 2,067
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Stanford 3.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Stanford 81.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Stanford 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Stanford 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Stanford 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Stanford A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Stanford Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Stanford Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Stanford 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Stanford 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Stanford Required
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Stanford Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Stanford $21,315
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Stanford $25,078
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Stanford $62,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Stanford 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Stanford 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Stanford $122,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Stanford 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Stanford $12,475
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Stanford $128
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Stanford 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Stanford
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (5%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Stanford Stanford, CA
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Stanford Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Stanford 18,625
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Stanford Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Stanford #3

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 17.5% lower than at Stanford University ($17,586 vs. $21,315).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Carleton College than at Stanford University (about $2,982 more per year; $68,892 vs. $65,910).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Carleton College (61% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($62,755 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Stanford than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Carleton College, required at Stanford.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Stanford average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $7,025 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($12,475 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($128 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stanford students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 88%).

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

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