Carleton College combines exceptional academic quality with strong post-graduation outcomes. Graduates earn $75,525 at ten years, ranking in the 91st percentile nationally, while maintaining manageable debt levels below peer institutions. The institution serves academically accomplished students seeking rigorous liberal arts education.
With well above average outcomes, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, reflecting the higher net costs typical of elite private liberal arts colleges
With above average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of diverse students for a highly selective institution
With above average outcomes, indicating reasonable economic advancement despite limited low-income access
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisCarleton College delivers strong earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels despite high sticker prices. Graduates earn a median of $75,525 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 91st percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $52,327 at the 25th percentile to $111,608 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across liberal arts disciplines. However, graduates earn $5,605 below expectations relative to their academic credentials, placing Carleton in the 31st percentile for earnings uplift.
Students seeking rigorous liberal arts education with strong Computer Science and Applied Economics programs, particularly those who thrive in small, academically intensive environments. Well-suited for high-achieving students comfortable with selective admissions (22.3%) and higher net costs in exchange for exceptional academic quality and strong graduate outcomes.
Carleton College admits approximately 22.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 4 to 5 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Carleton among highly selective liberal arts colleges in the United States.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the significant difference between Carleton's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private liberal arts colleges, Carleton's acceptance rate falls toward the more competitive end of the spectrum.
This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with high test scores and outstanding academic records—face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would excel at Carleton do not receive admission due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Carleton College's published cost of attendance reaches $81,350 annually, including $65,457 in tuition, $16,710 for room and board, and $938 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid.
The average net price after aid is $27,320, representing savings of $54,030 from the sticker price. This demonstrates Carleton's commitment to making education accessible despite high published costs.
The net price varies dramatically by family income, ranging from $12,069 for families earning under $30,000 to $41,028 for those earning over $110,000. Compared to peer institutions, Carleton's average net price of $27,320 is essentially identical to the peer median of $27,143, indicating competitive pricing within its market segment.
Financial aid effectiveness means that families across income levels pay substantially less than the published price, with aid targeting concentrated toward lower-income students who receive the most significant discounts from sticker price.
Computer Science.
71 graduates
Applied Economics.
45 graduates
Cinematography and Film/Video Production.
28 graduates
Acoustics.
14 graduates
Biology, General.
61 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gustavus Adolphus College Higher acceptance rate (39.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 41 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MN | 62% | $65,607 | Compare |
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This is the Carleton College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/carleton-college/analysis.
Top-tier liberal arts education
Carleton College ranks #390 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with performance at the 76.1st percentile. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this medium-sized private liberal arts college maintains highly selective admission standards with a 22.3% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Carleton enrolls 14.0% Pell-eligible students and 15.7% first-generation students, typical for highly selective private institutions. Graduates earn a median of $75,525 ten years after enrollment, placing Carleton in the 91st percentile for long-term earnings.
Compared to a peer median of $63,066, graduates earn $12,459 more annually. SAT scores range from 1430-1550, ranking among the highest we track at the 99th percentile nationally.
This combination of exceptional academic credentials and strong earnings outcomes positions Carleton as a high-performing liberal arts institution.
Students considering Carleton should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Carleton as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, given the competitive landscape of liberal arts college admissions.
The sections below provide guidance on academic preparation and alternative schools that deliver similar outcomes with different admission profiles.
Carleton College graduates demonstrate strong earnings growth over time, with outcomes supported by a robust ten-year cohort of 264 graduates. Median earnings rise from $53,989 six years after enrollment to $70,720 at eight years and $75,525 at ten years, representing 39.9% growth from the six-year mark.
This trajectory reflects the delayed but substantial career advancement typical of liberal arts graduates who often pursue graduate study or enter fields with longer development curves. While graduates earn $5,605 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Carleton in the 31st percentile for earnings uplift, the median earnings level itself ranks in the 91st percentile.
Earnings span from $52,327 at the 25th percentile to $111,608 at the 75th percentile, a 2.1:1 ratio reflecting differences in career paths and program choices. Approximately 26.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for advanced education alongside workforce entry.
Carleton College offers 8 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Computer Science stands out with graduates earning $116,048 and ranking #37 nationally, representing 20.3% of the graduating class with 71 students.
The program achieves a value score of 80.3, indicating strong return on investment. Applied Economics ranks #63 nationally with graduates earning $83,775, serving 45 students with a value score of 69.3.
Cinematography and Film Production achieves the #1 national ranking with graduates earning $48,388, though serving a smaller cohort of 28 students with a perfect value score of 100.0. Biology serves the second-largest student population with 61 graduates earning $40,859, while Mathematics and Behavioral Neuroscience round out the major programs.
All tracked programs achieve flagship status at the institution, reflecting Carleton's focus on academic excellence across disciplines.
St Olaf College Higher acceptance rate (29.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 1 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MN | 52% | $65,543 | Compare |
Saint Johns University Higher acceptance rate (68.2 percentage points higher) and located 98 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MN | 90% | $76,786 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Higher acceptance rate (64.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CT | 87% | $73,997 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Higher acceptance rate (64.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CT | 86% | $73,997 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
College Of The Holy Cross Similar quality tier (#388 ranked) | MA | 21% | $90,543 | #388 | Compare |
Augsburg University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#389 ranked) | MN | 77% | $58,829 | #389 | Compare |
Cumberland University Similar quality tier (#395 ranked) | TN | 67% | $57,687 | #395 | Compare |
Mercy University Similar quality tier (#382 ranked) | NY | 85% | $52,055 | #382 | Compare |
Wabash College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#377 ranked) | IN | 63% | $69,952 | #377 | Compare |
