MHC vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

MHC vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 Carleton College than MHC ($28,047 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 10.7% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($17,586 vs. $19,684).
• Carleton College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $1,874 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Carleton College than at Mount Holyoke College (about $1,874 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Carleton College (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($56,846 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 50 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming MHC 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: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at MHC (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

MHC vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $1,706 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($201 vs. $219).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 77%)

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.