Carleton College's published cost of attendance is $84,893. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $84,893 |
| Tuition and Fees | $68,892 |
| Room and Board | $17,586 |
| Books and Supplies | $938 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$59,486 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $25,407 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $7,881 |
| $30–48k | $8,203 |
| $48–75k | $9,680 |
| $75–110k | $18,485 |
| $110k+ | $44,082 |
Carleton College's published cost of attendance is $84,893. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,881; middle-income families pay around $9,680; higher-income families pay approximately $44,082. Azimuth ranks Carleton College #694 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Carleton College meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through need-based aid, with no merit component in the primary aid package. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The net price illusion explains how published sticker price and actual net price can diverge substantially — a distinction that matters especially at institutions with robust endowments like Carleton College. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $16,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $31,271; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. See the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Carleton College's median four-year earnings of $66,841, median federal debt of $16,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $189 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Carleton College earn median 4-year earnings of $66,841, placing Carleton College in the 70.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks Carleton College #496 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings profile reflects Carleton College's strength in fields that lead to stable, well-compensated careers across multiple sectors. The program lineup anchors on Social Sciences, which represents 19% of degrees and drives much of the institution's earnings performance. Computer Science is the largest program with 59 graduates, followed by Biology, General with 59 graduates and International Relations and National Security Studies with 56 graduates. These concentrations in other STEM fields and Arts — each representing 14% and 8% of the degree mix respectively — complement the social sciences foundation and create a diversified earnings profile. The combination of broad liberal arts training with professional pathways in economics, business, and analytical fields supports graduates into careers with sustained earning potential and upward mobility over the decade following enrollment.
