Carleton College Admission Requirements

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Northfield, MN
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Carleton College Admission Overview

Carleton College admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Minnesota. Last year Carleton College admitted 20.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1450-1560 / ACT 32-34. Carleton College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carleton College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carleton College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

20.4%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Carleton College acceptance rate is 20.4%. Last year, only 1,456 of 7,133 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Minnesota and the 72nd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Carleton College and can you get accepted?

Carleton College is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 35% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carleton College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.9*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.9*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Carleton College has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.9 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.9 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Carleton College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.9 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Carleton College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1450-1560

Freshmen who sent SAT

34%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 720
Math 730
Composite 1450

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 770
Math 790
Composite 1560

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Carleton College typically score around a 1510 SAT (middle 50% 1450–1560) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Carleton College ranks #1 in the state of Minnesota and #36 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1450 to 1560

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1450–1560 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Carleton College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1510 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Carleton College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1560+	Above 75th	>32%
1510 to 1560	Avg +	21%-32%
1450 to 1510	Avg -	12%-21%
Below 1450	Below mid-50	<12%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carleton College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

32-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

25%

25th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 29
Composite 32

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 34
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Carleton College typically have around a 33 ACT (mid-50 32–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 98th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Carleton College places #1 among colleges in Minnesota and #47 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 32–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Carleton College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 33.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Carleton College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>32%
33 to 34	Avg +	20%-32%
32 to 33	Avg -	12%-20%
Below 32	Below mid-50	<12%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

69% of Carleton College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Carleton College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	69%
Top 25% of class	93%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Carleton College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Carleton College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,305	3,820	7,133
Accepted	776	677	1,456
Acceptance Rate	23%	18%	20%
Enrolled	247	260	507
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	32%	38%	35%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Carleton College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Carleton College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Carleton College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Carleton College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Carleton College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 20.4% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1450-1560); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025