Carleton College vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota State University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Carleton College vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University than Carleton College ($20,438 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 44.6% lower than at Carleton College ($9,742 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 613.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $59,238 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 440.1% higher at Carleton College than at Dakota State University (about $56,136 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at Carleton College (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 958.4% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($56,846 vs. $5,371).

Carleton College vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 190 points higher than at Dakota State (1320).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Carleton College vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 67%)

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.