Amherst vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carleton College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Amherst vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Carleton College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Carleton College ($19,049 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 4.4% lower than at Amherst College ($17,586 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carleton College (about $1,588 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Amherst than at Carleton College (about $1,588 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College as at Carleton College (59% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 20.7% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($68,591 vs. $56,846).

Amherst vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Carleton College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carleton College and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 30 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Amherst vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Carleton College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Carleton College's (93%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($134 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.