Carleton College vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Carleton College vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Bryn Mawr? 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 Carleton College than Bryn Mawr ($28,047 vs. $33,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 9.4% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($17,586 vs. $19,400).
• Carleton College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $2,972 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Carleton College than at Bryn Mawr College (about $2,972 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at Carleton College (72% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 13.6% larger than aid received by Bryn Mawr College students ($56,846 vs. $50,029).

Carleton College vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Carleton College vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Bryn Mawr? 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 79%)

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.