Carleton College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

Carleton College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth than Carleton College ($20,128 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 36.8% lower than at Carleton College ($11,110 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 371.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Duluth (about $54,282 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $14,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 242.2% higher at Carleton College than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $48,762 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at Carleton College (95% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 691.1% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($56,846 vs. $7,186).

Carleton College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth and Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 240 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Duluth (1270).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Duluth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Carleton College vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Duluth students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 76%)

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.