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Carleton College

Northfield, Minnesota · Private · 2,086 undergrads

Carleton College admits 22% of applicants (fall 2025, Common Data Set 2025-26) and is test-optional for fall 2027.

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Can I get into Carleton College?

22% of applicants get in

Grades and essays carry this one; most strong applicants still hear no. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1460–1530 on the SAT.

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Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.

6,796 applied, 1,480 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).

What does Carleton College cost?

$25,295 a year

What students who got federal aid paid on average after grants, 2024-25. The sticker price, with housing and food, is $89,204.

Tap your family income:

Average paid after grants by family income
under $30,000$12,275
$30,000–$48,000$11,313
$48,000–$75,000$18,924
$75,000–$110,000$18,309
over $110,000$37,770

Own a business or have divorced parents? Run Carleton College's own calculator.

Net price 2024-25, College Scorecard.

When is Carleton College due?

Not confirmed yet

We checked Carleton College's admissions site on Nov 8, 2026 but couldn't confirm its fall 2027 application deadlines. Last year, regular decision was due Jan 15 and the early round Nov 15. Confirm this year's dates on its admissions site. Go to the college's site

Every Carleton College deadline

Last year's dates: Common Data Set 2025-26.

Does Carleton College need the SAT or ACT?Optional

No.

Test-optional for fall 2027. 34% of enrolled first-years sent the SAT. Send your SAT if it's 1500 or higher, the middle of what enrolled first-years scored.

Which colleges require scores

Checked on carleton.edu Nov 2, 2026. See the source

What it's like

2,086
undergrads. Small, so classes are small and you'll know a lot of faces.
Town
Campus setting in Northfield, MN.
97%
of first-years come back for year two.
83%
finish in four years. 91% within six.
$82.7k
median pay 10 years after starting.
$18k
median federal debt at graduation.

Lists Carleton College is on

Test-optional collegesMost selective in MinnesotaColleges for a 1500 SATColleges for a 32 ACTColleges for a 34 ACTColleges that meet full need

Questions people ask

Is Carleton College test-optional for fall 2027?
Yes. Carleton College is test-optional for students entering in fall 2027, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores. Checked on carleton.edu on Nov 2, 2026.
What is Carleton College's acceptance rate?
22% for fall 2025: 1,480 of 6,796 applicants were admitted (Common Data Set).
What SAT score do you need for Carleton College?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1460 to 1530 (Common Data Set, fall 2025). A quarter scored higher and a quarter lower, so a score in that range is typical, not a cutoff.
How much does Carleton College cost for a family earning $60,000?
Families earning $48,000–$75,000 paid an average of $18,924 a year after grants in 2024-25 (students who got federal aid). The sticker price is $89,204.
Does Carleton College have early decision?
Yes. 263 of 760 early decision applicants were admitted (35%) in fall 2025. Early decision is binding: if you're admitted, you go.
What is Carleton College's graduation rate?
91% of students finish within six years and 83% within four (IPEDS).