Carleton College vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 578 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Rochester are 20.4% lower than at Carleton College ($13,994 vs. $17,586).
• Out-of-state tuition is 358.8% higher at Carleton College than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $53,876 more per year; $68,892 vs. $15,016).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Rochester than at Carleton College (78% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 304.4% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students ($56,846 vs. $14,057).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at Carleton College than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (33 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and University of Minnesota-Rochester.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $685 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates ($201 vs. $208).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 74%).

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