Carleton College vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Carleton College vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than Carleton College ($25,186 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 20.3% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($17,586 vs. $22,054).
• Carleton College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanderbilt (about $1,394 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Carleton College than at Vanderbilt University (about $1,394 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Carleton College (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($64,404 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Vanderbilt 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; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Carleton College vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($144 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.