Top Ranked Programs
Carleton College's program mix is anchored in Social Sciences, reflecting the institution's liberal arts identity and emphasis on analytical and humanistic inquiry. The largest programs by enrollment are Computer Science with 59 graduates, followed by Biology, General with 59 graduates, International Relations and National Security Studies with 56 graduates, Research Psychology with 43 graduates, and Mathematics with 38 graduates. Across 23 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong median earnings four years after enrollment. The highest-earning program is Economics, where graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $87,193 [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). This program combines a substantial cohort of 34 graduates with competitive early-career outcomes, anchoring the institution's economic profile. The concentration of Computer Science and Biology, General among the largest majors reflects Carleton College's strength in fields that support both intellectual depth and labor-market positioning, with graduates moving into diverse professional pathways including research, policy, education, and private-sector roles. The program distribution across Social Sciences at 19%, other STEM fields at 14%, and Arts at 8% illustrates a balanced liberal arts portfolio where no single field dominates. Many of Carleton College's programs are grad-school-dependent pathways—particularly in sciences, humanities, and social sciences—where four-year earnings undercount the trajectory of graduates who continue to graduate or professional school. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with longer-term career outcomes and national labor-market trends.