Carleton College vs. Hamline University

Should I go to Carleton College or Hamline University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Carleton College or Hamline University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Carleton College vs. Hamline University comparison
Carleton College Hamline University College 3 College 4
Carleton College Hamline University
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Overview

Carleton College Hamline University
Location Northfield, MN Saint Paul, MN
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 2,069 2,432
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #42 #319
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website carleton.edu hamline.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Carleton College Hamline University
Tuition (In State) $65,043 $47,134
Tuition (Out of State) $65,043 $47,134
Room & Board $16,710 $12,030
Avg Net Price $29,434 $22,759
Avg Grant Aid $51,916 $33,981
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 100%

Admission

Carleton College Hamline University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,464 3,185
Admitted 1,440 2,861
Acceptance Rate 22.3% 89.8%
Enrolled % 37.4% 13.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.9 3.48
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 32/34 20/28
SAT Range 1430/1550 1146/1393
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Carleton College Hamline University
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Physical Sciences (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Legal Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Carleton College Hamline University
Graduation Rate 93% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,600 $55,100
Making Student Loan Payments 92% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $201 $250

Diversity

Carleton College Hamline University
% Men 1% 9%
% Women 1% 21%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 72%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 6%
% International 10% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Carleton College Hamline University
% In-State 21% 82%
% Out-of-State 67% 17%

Campus

Carleton College Hamline University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Hamline University is larger than than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,432 students vs. 2,069 students)

Carleton College vs. Hamline University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Hamline University?

  • Carleton College is 38% more expensive to attend than Hamline University for in-state tuition ($65,043.00 vs. $47,134.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38% higher at Carleton College than Hamline University ($65,043.00 vs. $47,134.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hamline University than Carleton College ($22,759 vs. $29,434)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamline University are 38.9% lower than costs at Carleton College ($12,030 vs. $16,710)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hamline University than Carleton College (100% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 52.8% larger than aid received Hamline University ($51,916 vs. $33,981)

Carleton College vs. Hamline University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or Hamline University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Hamline University or Carleton College .

  • The average SAT score at Carleton College (1400) is 273 points higher than at Hamline University (1127)
  • Incoming Carleton College students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Hamline University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Hamline University (3.48)
  • Hamline University has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Carleton College (22.3%)

Carleton College vs. Hamline University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Carleton College or Hamline University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Hamline University and Carleton College.

  • The graduation rate at Carleton College is higher than Hamline University (93% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Carleton College earn on average $10,500 more per year than Hamline University graduates after ten years. ($65,600 vs. $55,100)
  • Carleton College students graduate with a $4,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Hamline University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,250)
  • Carleton College graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than Hamline University graduates. ($201 vs. $250)
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamline University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/