Carleton College vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Carleton College vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Cornell? 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 Cornell University than Carleton College ($26,361 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 9.5% lower than at Cornell University ($17,586 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carleton College (about $422 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Cornell than at Carleton College (about $422 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Cornell University (59% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($61,779 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Cornell 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: Carleton College 1450/1560; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Cornell (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Carleton College vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Cornell? 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).

• The graduation rate at Carleton College is the same as at Cornell University (93% vs. 93%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $32,800 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($12,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($124 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

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.