Carleton College vs. Marquette University

Should I go to Carleton College or Marquette University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Carleton College or Marquette 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. Marquette University comparison
Carleton College Marquette University College 3 College 4
Carleton College Marquette University
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Overview

Carleton College Marquette University
Location Northfield, MN Milwaukee, WI
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 2,059 11,167
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #39 #216
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website carleton.edu marquette.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Carleton College Marquette University
Tuition (In State) $62,244 $45,860
Tuition (Out of State) $62,244 $45,860
Room & Board $15,990 $14,636
Avg Net Price $31,494 $33,136
Avg Grant Aid $46,821 $29,102
% Receiving Grant Aid 60% 100%

Admission

Carleton College Marquette University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,583 15,883
Admitted 1,427 13,851
Acceptance Rate 16.6% 87.2%
Enrolled % 37.3% 14.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.9 3.56
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 32/35 26/31
SAT Range 1430/1550 1170/1360
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, 2025 Dec 1, 2024

Academics

Carleton College Marquette 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%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Carleton College Marquette University
Graduation Rate 93% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,600 $67,500
Making Student Loan Payments 92% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $279

Diversity

Carleton College Marquette University
% Men 50% 43%
% Women 50% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 73%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 7% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 10% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Carleton College Marquette University
% In-State 17% 33%
% Out-of-State 73% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Marquette University is larger than than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (11,167 students vs. 2,059 students)

Carleton College vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

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

  • Carleton College is 35.7% more expensive to attend than Marquette University for in-state tuition ($62,244.00 vs. $45,860.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.7% higher at Carleton College than Marquette University ($62,244.00 vs. $45,860.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carleton College than Marquette University ($31,494 vs. $33,136)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marquette University are 9.3% lower than costs at Carleton College ($14,636 vs. $15,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marquette University than Carleton College (100% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 60.9% larger than aid received Marquette University ($46,821 vs. $29,102)

Carleton College vs. Marquette University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Carleton College (1400) is 181 points higher than at Marquette University (1219)
  • Incoming Carleton College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Marquette University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Marquette University (3.56)
  • Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Carleton College (16.6%)

Carleton College vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Carleton College or Marquette 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 Marquette University and Carleton College.

  • The graduation rate at Carleton College is higher than Marquette University (93% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from Marquette University earn on average $1,900 more per year than Carleton College graduates after ten years. ($67,500 vs. $65,600)
  • Carleton College students graduate with a $7,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Marquette University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Carleton College graduates are paying $78 less per month on federal student loans than Marquette University graduates. ($201 vs. $279)
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marquette University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 81%)

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