Carleton College vs. Vanderbilt

Carleton College and Vanderbilt University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Carleton College
Vanderbilt University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanderbilt (5.9% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vanderbilt. Average net price is $25,186 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Vanderbilt 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Vanderbilt $83,100 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Vanderbilt University
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Vanderbilt5.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vanderbilt higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Vanderbilt1500-1570
Average net price
Vanderbilt $2,861 less
Carleton College$28,047
Vanderbilt$25,186
In-state tuition
Vanderbilt $1,394 less
Carleton College$68,892
Vanderbilt$67,498
Out-of-state tuition
Vanderbilt $1,394 less
Carleton College$68,892
Vanderbilt$67,498
Graduation rate
Carleton College +1 pts
Carleton College93%
Vanderbilt92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Vanderbilt +$17,500
Carleton College$65,600
Vanderbilt$83,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Vanderbilt A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Vanderbilt 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Vanderbilt 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Vanderbilt 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Vanderbilt $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Vanderbilt #16

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 20.3% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($17,586 vs. $22,054).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Carleton College than at Vanderbilt University (about $1,394 more per year; $68,892 vs. $67,498).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Carleton College (67% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($64,404 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vanderbilt than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Vanderbilt.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Vanderbilt (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($144 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 83%).

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

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