Carleton College vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Carleton College vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Carleton College ($25,078 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 17.5% lower than at Stanford University ($17,586 vs. $21,315).
• Carleton College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $2,982 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Carleton College than at Stanford University (about $2,982 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Carleton College (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($62,755 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 40 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Stanford 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; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Carleton College vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Carleton College's (93%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $57,300 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $7,025 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($12,475 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($128 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stanford 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.