Northwestern vs. Carleton College

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

Northwestern University
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern (7.7% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,830 at Northwestern vs $28,047 at Carleton College. Carleton College in-state tuition is about $570 more per year.
  • Graduation: Northwestern 94% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern $89,800 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern University Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Northwestern more selective
Northwestern7.7%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern higher
Northwestern1510-1570
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
About even
Northwestern$26,830
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Northwestern $570 less
Northwestern$68,322
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern $570 less
Northwestern$68,322
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Northwestern +1 pts
Northwestern94%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northwestern +$24,200
Northwestern$89,800
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern 49,474
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern 3,806
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern 7.7%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern 55.3%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern 1540
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern 3.92
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern Extreme
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern 1510-1570
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern 33-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern Jan 1, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern $21,126
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern $26,830
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern $64,429
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern 53%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern 94%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern $89,800
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern 87%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern $19,378
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern $200
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern 6:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern Evanston, IL
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern Small City
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern 23,856
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Northwestern Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern #15
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 16.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($17,586 vs. $21,126).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Carleton College than at Northwestern University (about $570 more per year; $68,892 vs. $68,322).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Northwestern University (59% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($64,429 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northwestern than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northwestern and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $122 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($19,378 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($200 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 87%).

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

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