IIT vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Institute of Technology is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (8,834 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Carleton College 8:1.

IIT vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology than Carleton College ($24,796 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Institute of Technology are 1.3% lower than at Carleton College ($17,356 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 31.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than IIT (about $16,506 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at Carleton College than at Illinois Institute of Technology (about $16,506 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students ($56,846 vs. $44,547).

IIT vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 200 points higher than at IIT (1310).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at IIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at IIT (3.84).
• IIT has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

IIT vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IIT students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 81%)

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.