Carleton College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Carleton College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Oberlin? 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 Carleton College than Oberlin ($28,047 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 9.9% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,586 vs. $19,510).
• Carleton College is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $1,526 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Carleton College than at Oberlin College (about $1,526 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Carleton College (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 58.9% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($56,846 vs. $35,780).

Carleton College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 70 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Carleton College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Oberlin? 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($201 vs. $274).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 82%)

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.