Carleton College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Carleton College
Known for a lively liberal arts core, Carleton College pairs discussion driven classes with close faculty attention and hands-on learning in the sciences, social sciences, and arts. Students split time among studios and labs, a historic observatory for sky watching, a well used library, and an expansive arboretum that doubles as outdoor classroom. Support runs deep, with advising, tutoring, counseling, health services, and a career center that knows its students.
Life here leans curious and collaborative. Music, theater, student media, outdoor trips, and club sports fill the calendar, and winter brings its own playful energy. The culture feels down-to-earth, a touch quirky, and genuinely welcoming. Northfield offers a walkable river town with coffee, bookstores, and community events, plus it's easy to reach the Twin Cities for internships and professional connections. Alumni ties are known for opening doors. And traditions big and small give campus a distinct rhythm. Notable alum: filmmaker and mountaineer Jimmy Chin.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Carleton College offers 33 degree programs across 14 major academic fields, graduating approximately 486 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (3 programs, 88 graduates), Computer & IT (1 programs, 78 graduates), Physical Sciences (3 programs, 57 graduates), Mathematics (2 programs, 49 graduates) and Biological Sciences (1 programs, 42 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (3 programs, 88 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0901 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1301 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 78 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 78 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
Physical Sciences (3 programs, 57 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0801 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
Mathematics (2 programs, 49 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0101 |
| Statistics | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0501 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 42 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
Psychology (1 programs, 40 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
Arts (6 programs, 36 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film and Media Studies | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Studio Arts, General | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Art History and Conservation | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Theatre Arts | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Dance | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
Languages (6 programs, 19 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Language and Literature | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
| Linguistics | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0102 |
| Chinese Language and Literature | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0301 |
| Russian Language and Literature | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0402 |
| Classics and Classical Languages | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1200 |
| German Language and Literature | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0501 |
History (1 programs, 18 graduates)
Historical Studies, Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
54.0101 |
English (1 programs, 17 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Carleton College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Carleton College
How much does it cost to attend Carleton College?
The annual tuition at Carleton College is $65,457 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $84,893 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,710 (on-campus) and books and supplies $938.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Carleton College offer?
Carleton College offers 33 academic programs across 14 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (3 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (3 programs)
- Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis (2 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Carleton College?
Carleton College has an 22.3% acceptance rate and a 37.4% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 6,464
- Students admitted: 1,440
- Students enrolled: 538
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Carleton College?
Carleton College provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $51,916 and average loans of $4,654.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,270
- State/Local grants: $5,937
- Institutional grants: $49,336
- Federal loans: $3,872
The university supports 301 students with grants and 200 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Carleton College graduates?
Carleton College graduates earn a median salary of $53,989 after 6 years and $75,525 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $52,327 (25th percentile) to $111,608 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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