ISU vs. Carleton College

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

Iowa State University
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: ISU. Average net price is $17,779 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: ISU 68% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ISU $53,700 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Iowa State University Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
ISU88.7%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
ISU1120-1360
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
ISU $10,268 less
ISU$17,779
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
ISU $58,105 less
ISU$10,787
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
ISU $40,011 less
ISU$28,881
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +25 pts
ISU68%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$11,900
ISU$53,700
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ISU 23,095
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • ISU 20,475
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1240
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • ISU 3.7
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • ISU A-
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • ISU Challenging
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • ISU
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • ISU 21-28
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ISU
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ISU $10,787
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ISU $28,881
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • ISU $10,808
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • ISU $17,779
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • ISU $10,791
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ISU 77%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • ISU 68%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ISU $53,700
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • ISU 74%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ISU $23,868
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • ISU $246
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ISU 18:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 30,380
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ISU #343
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Iowa State University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 38.5% lower than at Carleton College ($10,808 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 138.5% higher at Carleton College than at Iowa State University (about $40,011 more per year; $68,892 vs. $28,881).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at Carleton College (77% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 426.8% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($56,846 vs. $10,791).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at Carleton College than at ISU (33 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ISU and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at ISU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $4,368 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,868).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($201 vs. $246).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 74%).

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

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