Carleton College vs. University of St Thomas

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

Carleton College
University of St Thomas

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 85.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $31,250 at University of St Thomas.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs University of St Thomas 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs University of St Thomas $62,000 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College University of St Thomas
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
University of St Thomas85.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
University of St Thomas1260-1423
Average net price
Carleton College $3,203 less
Carleton College$28,047
University of St Thomas$31,250
In-state tuition
University of St Thomas $14,494 less
Carleton College$68,892
University of St Thomas$54,398
Out-of-state tuition
University of St Thomas $14,494 less
Carleton College$68,892
University of St Thomas$54,398
Graduation rate
Carleton College +19 pts
Carleton College93%
University of St Thomas74%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$3,600
Carleton College$65,600
University of St Thomas$62,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • University of St Thomas 9,774
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • University of St Thomas 8,343
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • University of St Thomas 85.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • University of St Thomas 20.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • University of St Thomas 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • University of St Thomas 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • University of St Thomas 3.63
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • University of St Thomas A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • University of St Thomas Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • University of St Thomas
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • University of St Thomas 1260-1423
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • University of St Thomas 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • University of St Thomas Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • University of St Thomas $54,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • University of St Thomas $54,398
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • University of St Thomas $14,969
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • University of St Thomas $31,250
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • University of St Thomas $35,587
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • University of St Thomas 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • University of St Thomas 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • University of St Thomas $62,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • University of St Thomas 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • University of St Thomas $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • University of St Thomas $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • University of St Thomas 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • University of St Thomas
    • Business (44%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • University of St Thomas Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • University of St Thomas 9,410
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • University of St Thomas Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • University of St Thomas #212

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Thomas is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (9,410 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 14.9% lower than at Carleton College ($14,969 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at Carleton College than at University of St Thomas (about $14,494 more per year; $68,892 vs. $54,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at Carleton College (95% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 59.7% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($56,846 vs. $35,587).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Carleton College than at University of St Thomas (33 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and University of St Thomas.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at University of St Thomas (3.63).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($201 vs. $268).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 80%).

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

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