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Carleton College

Northfield, MN·Private·https://www.carleton.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3

Carleton College is a small private nonprofit college in Northfield, MN. Approximately 2,086 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 20% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 22 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Carleton College is a small private nonprofit college in Northfield, MN. Approximately 2,086 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 20% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 22 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

20%
Acceptance Rate
7,133 applications
34
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 32–34
$59,850
In-State Tuition
+$375 fees
$59,850
Out-of-State Tuition
+$375 fees
$17,586
Room & Board
20 meals/week
2,086
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
35%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D3
Athletics
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Selectivity20% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

720745770

SAT Math

730770790

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D3

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Weather

Cold Climate

36°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

45 skiable acres10 lifts
22 mi away
125 skiable acres10 lifts
Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area

Minnesota

28 mi away
35 skiable acres7 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Northfield, MN

14°Jan18°Feb30°Mar44°Apr57°May68°Jun71°Jul69°Aug61°Sep47°Oct33°Nov21°Dec

Station: FARIBAULT · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

38/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety275738
27/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
57/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
38/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$59,850
Fees
$375
Room & Board
$17,586
Total
$77,811
Meal Plan: 20 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

35 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Computer ScienceBachelor's
80 grads/yr
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
65 grads/yr
International Relations and National Security StudiesBachelor's
40 grads/yr
MathematicsBachelor's
39 grads/yr
ChemistryBachelor's
38 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Economics
Bachelor's37 grads$87,193
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's$53,975
Computer Science
Bachelor's80 grads
Biology, General
Bachelor's65 grads
International Relations and National Security Studies
Bachelor's40 grads
Mathematics
Bachelor's39 grads
Chemistry
Bachelor's38 grads
Research and Experimental Psychology
Bachelor's29 grads
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's25 grads
English Language and Literature, General
Bachelor's23 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Carleton College located?

Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN. The main campus address is One North College Street, Northfield, MN. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Carleton College?

Carleton College has an acceptance rate of 20%, making it highly selective. Out of 7,133 applicants, 1,456 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,086 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Carleton College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Carleton College scored between 32 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 34. About 25% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Carleton College?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Carleton College charges $59,850/year in tuition. Including room and board ($17,586/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $60,225/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Carleton College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Carleton College have college sports?

Yes — Carleton College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Carleton College the right fit for me?

Whether Carleton College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (20% admit rate), cost ($59,850/year out-of-state), campus culture in Northfield, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Carleton College against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Carleton College directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Northfield, MN
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
School Year Weather
Cold · 36°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
38/100
Nearest Airport
Minneapolis, MN (MSP) · 29 mialso STP (33 mi), RST (50 mi)

Location

Northfield, MN

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.