Carleton College vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (56,666 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 Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

Carleton College vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Minnesota? 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 Twin Cities than Carleton College ($17,209 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 21.2% lower than at Carleton College ($13,856 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 300.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota (about $51,678 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $17,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at Carleton College than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $30,530 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at Carleton College (65% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 352.9% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($56,846 vs. $12,552).

Carleton College vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Minnesota - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

Carleton College vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Minnesota? 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 Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $685 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($201 vs. $208).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 74%)

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.