Carleton College vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Carleton College vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering than Carleton College ($25,669 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 20.5% lower than at Carleton College ($13,984 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 36.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSOE (about $18,412 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.5% higher at Carleton College than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $18,412 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($56,846 vs. $36,997).

Carleton College vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 230 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Carleton College vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.