Wheaton College vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College ($28,047 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 26% lower than at Carleton College ($13,010 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 51.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $23,346 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.3% higher at Carleton College than at Wheaton College (about $23,346 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Carleton College (98% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 103.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($56,846 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 140 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Wheaton College vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College's (87%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wheaton College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 90%)

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.