MHC vs. Carleton College

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

Mount Holyoke College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 36%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $32,526 at MHC.
  • Graduation: MHC 85% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MHC $50,000 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Mount Holyoke College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
MHC36%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
MHC1380-1530
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Carleton College $4,479 less
MHC$32,526
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
MHC $1,874 less
MHC$67,018
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
MHC $1,874 less
MHC$67,018
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +8 pts
MHC85%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$15,600
MHC$50,000
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MHC 5,226
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • MHC 1,883
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • MHC 36%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MHC 27.2%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MHC 1460
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • MHC 33
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • MHC 3.87
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • MHC A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • MHC Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • MHC High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • MHC 1380-1530
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • MHC 32-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • MHC Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MHC Jan 15, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MHC $67,018
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MHC $67,018
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • MHC $19,684
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • MHC $32,526
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • MHC $52,418
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MHC 77%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • MHC 85%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MHC $50,000
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • MHC 77%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MHC $21,206
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • MHC $219
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MHC 9:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • MHC
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • MHC South Hadley, MA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • MHC Large Suburban
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • MHC 2,275
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • MHC Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MHC #81
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 10.7% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($17,586 vs. $19,684).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Carleton College than at Mount Holyoke College (about $1,874 more per year; $68,892 vs. $67,018).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Carleton College (77% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($56,846 vs. $52,418).

Admissions details

  • Incoming MHC students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Carleton College (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both MHC and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at MHC (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $1,706 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,206).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($201 vs. $219).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 77%).

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

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