Your chances of getting into Carleton College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Carleton College is 16.6%. Its admission rate is the lowest in Minnesota and the 59th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Carleton College and can you get accepted?
Carleton College is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 1,427 out of the 8,583 who applied were admitted.
Carleton College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.9. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 37% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Carleton College?
17% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Carleton College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.9 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1490 on the SAT
- Score 33 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
Carleton College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Carleton College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Carleton College are to have around a 3.9 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.
Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Carleton College is a very selective school.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Carleton College is 3.9 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #1 in Minnesota for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Carleton College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.9 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.
Carleton College SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Carleton College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 37% of students submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 710 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 720 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1430 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 770 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 780 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1550 |
| Average SAT Score | 1490
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Carleton College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Carleton College is 1490 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1430-1550. Students who get into Carleton College score in the top 3 percent of all SAT test takers.. Carleton College ranks #1 in the state of Minnesota and #36 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1490 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Carleton College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1430 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1430, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1370, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Carleton College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1490 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1490, you have around a 17% chance of being admitted. A 1550 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 28% chance of getting in.
Carleton College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 33 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 29 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 32 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 35 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 35 |
| Average ACT Score | 33
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Carleton College?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Carleton College is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 32 and 35. The school ranks #1 in Minnesota and #42 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 33. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 32 and score in the score in the top 3 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 30.
28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Carleton College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Carleton College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Carleton College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 17% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 33% with a 35 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
69% of Carleton College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 69% |
| Top 25% of class | 93% |
| Top 50% of class | 100% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 4,491 | 4,092 | 8,583 |
| Accepted | 748 | 679 | 1,427 |
| Acceptance Rate | 17% | 17% | 17% |
| Enrolled | 264 | 268 | 532 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 35% | 39% | 37% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2024 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 15, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Carleton College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Carleton College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| High School Class Rank | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required to be considered for admission |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Carleton College is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.9 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1490 on the SAT and optimally 1550 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 33 to have a competitive chance of getting in.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Carleton College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=173258 IPEDS survey data for Carleton College.
FAQs
Does Carleton College prefer SAT or ACT?
37% of students submit their SAT scores to Carleton College. 28% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Carleton College?
17% of those who apply are granted admission to Carleton College. Admission competition is very high and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Carleton College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1430 and 1550. The average SAT score is 1490. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Carleton College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 32 and 35. The average ACT score is 33. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.