Carleton College vs. Minnesota

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

Carleton College
University of Minnesota Twin Cities

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 79.7%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Minnesota. Average net price is $17,209 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Minnesota 70%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Minnesota $58,200 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Minnesota79.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Minnesota1300-1500
Average net price
Minnesota $10,838 less
Carleton College$28,047
Minnesota$17,209
In-state tuition
Minnesota $51,678 less
Carleton College$68,892
Minnesota$17,214
Out-of-state tuition
Minnesota $30,530 less
Carleton College$68,892
Minnesota$38,362
Graduation rate
Carleton College +23 pts
Carleton College93%
Minnesota70%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$7,400
Carleton College$65,600
Minnesota$58,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Minnesota 41,496
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Minnesota 33,091
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Minnesota 79.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Minnesota 22.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Minnesota 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Minnesota 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Minnesota 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Minnesota A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Minnesota Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Minnesota
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Minnesota 1300-1500
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Minnesota 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Minnesota Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Minnesota Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Minnesota $17,214
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Minnesota $38,362
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Minnesota $13,856
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Minnesota $17,209
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Minnesota $12,552
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Minnesota 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Minnesota 70%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Minnesota $58,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Minnesota 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Minnesota $20,185
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Minnesota $208
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Minnesota 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Minnesota
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Minnesota Minneapolis, MN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Minnesota Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Minnesota 56,666
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Minnesota Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Minnesota #159

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (56,666 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 Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 21.2% lower than at Carleton College ($13,856 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at Carleton College than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $30,530 more per year; $68,892 vs. $38,362).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at Carleton College (65% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 352.9% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($56,846 vs. $12,552).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Carleton College than at Minnesota (33 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Minnesota.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Minnesota (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $685 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,185).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($201 vs. $208).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota 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.

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