Carleton College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carleton College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Carleton College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University than Carleton College ($27,161 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 30.8% lower than at Carleton College ($12,165 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawrence (about $11,910 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Carleton College than at Lawrence University (about $11,910 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($56,846 vs. $42,688).

Carleton College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 200 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Carleton College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,850 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($201 vs. $282).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 76%)

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.