Northwestern vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Northwestern vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern University than Carleton College ($26,830 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 16.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($17,586 vs. $21,126).
• Carleton College is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern (about $570 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Carleton College than at Northwestern University (about $570 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Northwestern University (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($64,429 vs. $56,846).

Northwestern vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Northwestern 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: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern 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 Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Northwestern vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Carleton College's (93%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $122 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($19,378 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($200 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

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.