USC vs. Carleton College

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

University of Southern California
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: USC (9.8% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $43,412 at USC.
  • Graduation: USC 90% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: USC $85,500 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

University of Southern California Carleton College
Acceptance rate
USC more selective
USC9.8%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
USC1450-1550
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Carleton College $15,365 less
USC$43,412
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Carleton College $3,205 less
USC$72,097
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $3,205 less
USC$72,097
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +3 pts
USC90%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
USC +$19,900
USC$85,500
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • USC 82,027
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • USC 8,050
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • USC 9.8%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • USC 43.3%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • USC 1500
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • USC 33
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • USC 3.83
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • USC A-
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • USC Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • USC Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • USC 1450-1550
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • USC 32-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • USC Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • USC
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • USC $72,097
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • USC $72,097
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • USC $19,931
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • USC $43,412
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • USC $46,897
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • USC 70%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • USC 90%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • USC $85,500
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • USC 81%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • USC $22,375
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • USC $231
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • USC 9:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • USC
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • USC Los Angeles, CA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • USC Large City
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • USC 46,566
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • USC Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • USC #37
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Southern California is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 11.8% lower than at University of Southern California ($17,586 vs. $19,931).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at USC than at Carleton College (about $3,205 more per year; $72,097 vs. $68,892).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Carleton College (70% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 21.2% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($56,846 vs. $46,897).

Admissions details

  • Incoming USC 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 USC 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, 0.07 higher than at USC (3.83).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,375).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($201 vs. $231).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 81%).

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

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