Carleton College vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Thomas is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (9,410 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Carleton College vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas ($28,047 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 14.9% lower than at Carleton College ($14,969 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 26.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Thomas (about $14,494 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at Carleton College than at University of St Thomas (about $14,494 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at Carleton College (95% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 59.7% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($56,846 vs. $35,587).

Carleton College vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas and Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 170 points higher than at University of St Thomas (1340).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Carleton College vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's (74%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than University of St Thomas graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

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.