CollegeScout
Private

Carleton College

Northfield, Minnesota
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Admit Rate
20%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Highly Selective
Cost of Attendance
$89,204
per year, before aid
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional

Data sourced from Institutional Website, IPEDS · Last verified 2026-09-15. This provenance applies to the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years English4 years math3-4 years lab science3-4 years social studies3-4 years foreign language

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Test scores are never required. Common App requirements grid
Essays
The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
Recommendations
2 teacher recommendations, a counselor recommendation, a mid-year report. Common App requirements grid
Application fee
$0. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Decision (binding) November 15, 2026, Early Decision II (binding) January 15, 2027, Regular Decision January 15, 2027. Common App requirements grid
Overall
20%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1450-1560
SAT/ACT optional
Impacted Majors

No internally-impacted majors reported.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: Common App requirements grid · 2026-27)
Early Decision
November 15, 2026 · Binding
Early Decision II
January 15, 2027 · Binding
Regular Decision
January 15, 2027 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$0
Common App personal essay
Required
Recommendations
2 teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, mid-year report

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Academics

Flagship Programs

Computer ScienceBiologyMathematics & Natural Sciences

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
Computer ScienceBiologyPsychologyMathematics
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Cross-registration and shared academic/social resources with neighboring St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN

Cost

Cost of attendance, per year
$89,204

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
Tuition $68,892* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$7,881
$30,001 – $48,000
$8,203
$48,001 – $75,000
$9,680
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,485
Over $110,000
$44,082

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

Carleton is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need; it does not offer academic merit scholarships.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Northfield, Minnesota· Small City
Undergraduates
2,019
Setting
Small City
In a fraternity or sorority
0% of students
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†Common App requirements grid · 2026-27

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