Carleton College vs. Wisconsin

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

Carleton College
University of Wisconsin Madison

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 45.2%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1450.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wisconsin. Average net price is $14,235 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Wisconsin 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Wisconsin $64,800 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College University of Wisconsin Madison
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Wisconsin45.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Wisconsin1380-1520
Average net price
Wisconsin $13,812 less
Carleton College$28,047
Wisconsin$14,235
In-state tuition
Wisconsin $57,289 less
Carleton College$68,892
Wisconsin$11,603
Out-of-state tuition
Wisconsin $26,789 less
Carleton College$68,892
Wisconsin$42,103
Graduation rate
Carleton College +11 pts
Carleton College93%
Wisconsin82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$800
Carleton College$65,600
Wisconsin$64,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Wisconsin A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Wisconsin Low
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Wisconsin 1380-1520
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Wisconsin 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Wisconsin 35%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Wisconsin $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Wisconsin #109

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 19.7% lower than at Carleton College ($14,124 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 63.6% higher at Carleton College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $26,789 more per year; $68,892 vs. $42,103).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (59% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 220.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($56,846 vs. $17,741).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Carleton College than at Wisconsin (33 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Wisconsin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Wisconsin (3.88).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,250).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($201 vs. $230).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 84%).

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

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