Notre Dame vs. Carleton College

University of Notre Dame and Carleton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Notre Dame
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Notre Dame (11.3% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $29,300 at Notre Dame vs $28,047 at Carleton College. Carleton College in-state tuition is about $3,867 more per year.
  • Graduation: Notre Dame 96% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Notre Dame $89,800 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

University of Notre Dame Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Notre Dame more selective
Notre Dame 11.3%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Notre Dame higher
Notre Dame 1455-1560
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
About even
Notre Dame $29,300
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Notre Dame $3,867 less
Notre Dame $65,025
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Notre Dame $3,867 less
Notre Dame $65,025
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Notre Dame +3 pts
Notre Dame 96%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Notre Dame +$24,200
Notre Dame $89,800
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Notre Dame 29,942
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Notre Dame 3,374
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Notre Dame 11.3%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Notre Dame 61.7%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Notre Dame 1510
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Notre Dame 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Notre Dame 3.91
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Notre Dame A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Notre Dame Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Notre Dame Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Notre Dame 1455-1560
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Notre Dame 33-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Notre Dame Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Notre Dame $65,025
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Notre Dame $65,025
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Notre Dame $17,900
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Notre Dame $29,300
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Notre Dame $53,971
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Notre Dame 61%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Notre Dame 96%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Notre Dame $89,800
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Notre Dame 92%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Notre Dame $21,500
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Notre Dame $222
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Notre Dame 8:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Notre Dame
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Notre Dame Rural Fringe
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Notre Dame 13,042
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Notre Dame Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Notre Dame #27
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Notre Dame is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 1.8% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($17,586 vs. $17,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Carleton College than at University of Notre Dame (about $3,867 more per year; $68,892 vs. $65,025).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Carleton College (61% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 5.3% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($56,846 vs. $53,971).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Notre Dame than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Notre Dame and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Notre Dame average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($201 vs. $222).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Notre Dame 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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