Carleton College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vassar College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Carleton College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($28,047 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 3.6% lower than at Vassar College ($17,586 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carleton College (about $2,138 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Vassar than at Carleton College (about $2,138 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Vassar College (59% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($57,443 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Vassar 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Carleton College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $3,720 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($15,780 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($163 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vassar students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 92%)

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.