Carleton College vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Carleton College vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College than Carleton College ($26,233 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 8.6% lower than at Middlebury College ($17,586 vs. $19,250).
• Carleton College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middlebury (about $1,292 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Carleton College than at Middlebury College (about $1,292 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Middlebury College (59% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middlebury College students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($59,647 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Middlebury 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; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Middlebury (3.89).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Middlebury (10.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Carleton College vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from Middlebury College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,400 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $3,611 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($15,889 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($164 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middlebury students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 88%)

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.