Carleton College vs. Vassar

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

Carleton College
Vassar College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vassar (18.6% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $29,981 at Vassar.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Vassar 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Vassar $58,400 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Vassar College
Acceptance rate
Vassar more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Vassar18.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Vassar1450-1550
Average net price
Carleton College $1,934 less
Carleton College$28,047
Vassar$29,981
In-state tuition
Carleton College $2,138 less
Carleton College$68,892
Vassar$71,030
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $2,138 less
Carleton College$68,892
Vassar$71,030
Graduation rate
Carleton College +2 pts
Carleton College93%
Vassar91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$7,200
Carleton College$65,600
Vassar$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Vassar 12,447
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Vassar 2,311
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Vassar 18.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Vassar 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Vassar 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Vassar 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Vassar 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Vassar A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Vassar Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Vassar Very High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Vassar 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Vassar 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Vassar Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Vassar Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Vassar $18,240
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Vassar $29,981
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Vassar $57,443
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Vassar 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Vassar 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Vassar $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Vassar 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Vassar $15,780
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Vassar $163
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Vassar 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Vassar
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Vassar Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Vassar Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Vassar 2,462
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Vassar Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Vassar #46

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Vassar College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 3.6% lower than at Vassar College ($17,586 vs. $18,240).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Vassar than at Carleton College (about $2,138 more per year; $71,030 vs. $68,892).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Vassar College (59% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($57,443 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vassar than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Vassar.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Vassar (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $3,720 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($15,780 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($163 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vassar students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 92%).

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

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