Carleton College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Carleton College and University of Minnesota Duluth side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Carleton College
University of Minnesota Duluth

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 88.8%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: University of Minnesota-Duluth. Average net price is $20,128 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs University of Minnesota-Duluth 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs University of Minnesota-Duluth $53,500 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College University of Minnesota Duluth
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
University of Minnesota-Duluth88.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
University of Minnesota-Duluth1180-1350
Average net price
University of Minnesota-Duluth $7,919 less
Carleton College$28,047
University of Minnesota-Duluth$20,128
In-state tuition
University of Minnesota-Duluth $54,282 less
Carleton College$68,892
University of Minnesota-Duluth$14,610
Out-of-state tuition
University of Minnesota-Duluth $48,762 less
Carleton College$68,892
University of Minnesota-Duluth$20,130
Graduation rate
Carleton College +38 pts
Carleton College93%
University of Minnesota-Duluth55%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$12,100
Carleton College$65,600
University of Minnesota-Duluth$53,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 8,999
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 7,987
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 88.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 22.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 3.51
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 1180-1350
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 23-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $14,610
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $20,130
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $11,110
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $20,128
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $7,186
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $53,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth 9,253
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth #543

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 36.8% lower than at Carleton College ($11,110 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 242.2% higher at Carleton College than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $48,762 more per year; $68,892 vs. $20,130).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at Carleton College (95% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 691.1% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($56,846 vs. $7,186).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at Carleton College than at University of Minnesota-Duluth (33 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and University of Minnesota-Duluth.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.39 higher than at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($201 vs. $258).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Duluth students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 76%).

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

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