Carleton College vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colgate University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Carleton College vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Colgate? 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 Colgate ($28,047 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 0.1% lower than at Colgate University ($17,586 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carleton College (about $1,414 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Colgate than at Carleton College (about $1,414 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Colgate University (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($58,334 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 20 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Carleton College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Colgate (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Carleton College vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Colgate? 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 Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $3,375 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($16,125 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($166 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 86%)

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.