Carleton College vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Carleton College vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than Carleton College ($14,235 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 19.7% lower than at Carleton College ($14,124 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 493.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $57,289 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.6% higher at Carleton College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $26,789 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (59% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 220.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($56,846 vs. $17,741).

Carleton College vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 60 points higher than at Wisconsin (1450).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Wisconsin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Wisconsin (3.88).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Carleton College vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($201 vs. $230).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 84%)

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.