Campus Identity
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. The nearest beach is about 22 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 22 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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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. The nearest beach is about 22 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 22 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Carleton College is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 22 miles from Pool 2 and 19 miles from Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area.
Athletics
NCAA D3
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Town setting
Beach Access
22 miles
Pool 2
Weather
Cold Climate
36°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Carleton College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area, 19 miles away with 10 lifts and 45 skiable acres. All are within 28 miles of campus.
Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota
Nearest Beach
Students at Carleton College are 22 miles from Pool 2.
Pool 2
Ocean access within 22.1 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Northfield, MN
Northfield has a cold climate, with winters averaging 14°F in Jan and summers peaking around 71°F in Jul.
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
Carleton College in MN earns a composite safety score of 38/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
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
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $68,892 |
| Fees | $375 |
| Room & Board | $17,586 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $86,853 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
35 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
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 2024-25 academic year, Carleton College charges $68,892/year in tuition. Including room and board ($17,586/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $60,225/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,407/year — what students actually pay. 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), avg net price ($25,407/year after aid), campus culture in Northfield, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Carleton College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Carleton College directly for the most current information.
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