Carleton College vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Carleton College vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis than Carleton College ($22,408 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 19.5% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($17,586 vs. $21,854).
• Carleton College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $3,102 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Carleton College than at Washington University in St Louis (about $3,102 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Washington University in St Louis (59% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 16.2% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($66,080 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 30 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming WUSTL 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; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Carleton College vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and WUSTL ? 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).

• The graduation rate at Carleton College is the same as at Washington University in St Louis (93% vs. 93%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $400 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($201 vs. $205).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WUSTL students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 88%)

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.