Carleton College vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Carleton College vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Carleton College ($26,756 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 22.5% lower than at Carleton College ($13,630 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $9,132 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at Carleton College than at St Olaf College (about $9,132 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 26% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($56,846 vs. $45,098).

Carleton College vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 120 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Carleton College vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St Olaf students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.