Carleton College vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Carleton College vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Hamilton 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 Carleton College than Hamilton College ($28,047 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 0.4% lower than at Carleton College ($17,510 vs. $17,586).
• Hamilton College is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carleton College (about $68 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Hamilton College than at Carleton College (about $68 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Hamilton College (59% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($56,846 vs. $55,511).

Carleton College vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Hamilton College 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; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Carleton College vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Hamilton 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $3,740 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($15,760 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($162 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamilton College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 90%)

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.