Emory vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emory University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Emory vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory or Carleton College? 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 Emory University than Carleton College ($27,303 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 13% lower than at Emory University ($17,586 vs. $20,220).
• Carleton College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emory (about $4,612 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Carleton College than at Emory University (about $4,612 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Emory University (59% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Emory University students ($56,846 vs. $56,319).

Emory vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emory University (1510) is the same as at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Emory students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Carleton College (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 1470/1550; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Emory (3.8).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Emory (10.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Emory vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory and Carleton College? 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 Emory University's (90%).
• Graduates from Emory University earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,500 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $2,267 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($17,233 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($178 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory 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.