Carleton College vs. Washington and Lee

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

Carleton College
Washington and Lee University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Washington and Lee (14% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Washington and Lee. Average net price is $23,055 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Washington and Lee 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Washington and Lee $89,000 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Washington and Lee University
Acceptance rate
Washington and Lee more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Washington and Lee14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Washington and Lee1430-1540
Average net price
Washington and Lee $4,992 less
Carleton College$28,047
Washington and Lee$23,055
In-state tuition
Washington and Lee $847 less
Carleton College$68,892
Washington and Lee$68,045
Out-of-state tuition
Washington and Lee $847 less
Carleton College$68,892
Washington and Lee$68,045
Graduation rate
Carleton College +2 pts
Carleton College93%
Washington and Lee91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Washington and Lee +$23,400
Carleton College$65,600
Washington and Lee$89,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Washington and Lee 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Washington and Lee 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Washington and Lee #31

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Washington and Lee University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 5.9% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,586 vs. $18,685).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Carleton College than at Washington and Lee University (about $847 more per year; $68,892 vs. $68,045).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Carleton College (64% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($63,945 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Carleton College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Washington and Lee (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Washington and Lee.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Washington and Lee (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($201 vs. $222).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington and Lee students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 88%).

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

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