Minnesota · College profile
Carleton College: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs
Carleton College is a private nonprofit four-year university in Northfield, Minnesota, enrolling about 2,086 undergraduates. It admits roughly 20% of applicants, which makes it selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.
SAT and ACT scores at Carleton College
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| SAT 25th percentile | 1450 |
| SAT 75th percentile | 1560 |
| SAT midpoint (estimated) | 1515 |
| ACT 25th percentile | 32 |
| ACT 75th percentile | 34 |
| ACT midpoint (estimated) | 34 |
A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1450 and a quarter scored above 1560. Treat 1560 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1450 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.
The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 34 and an SAT 1560 are read as equivalent here.
Admissions and selectivity
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 20.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,086 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 8:1 |
| Setting | Town |
| Control | Private Nonprofit |
Cost and financial aid
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $68,892 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $68,892 |
| Room and board | $17,586 |
| Average net price (first-year students) | $25,407 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 16.5% |
| Students taking federal loans | 43.4% |
| Median federal loan debt at graduation | $15,960 |
Net price is the number that matters: $25,407 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.
Graduation and earnings outcomes
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduation rate (6-year) | 89.6% |
| First-year retention | 96.5% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $75,525 |
| Students who are first-generation | 15.7% |
Most popular majors
- Social sciences — 20% of bachelor's degrees
- Computer & information sciences — 16% of bachelor's degrees
- Physical sciences — 13% of bachelor's degrees
- Biological & biomedical sciences — 9% of bachelor's degrees
Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.
How your score compares
Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside Carleton College's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.
Start a free practice test →Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for Carleton College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Carleton College scored between 1450 and 1560 on the SAT. A score at or above 1560 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1450 the rest of your application carries more weight.
What ACT score do you need for Carleton College?
The middle 50% ACT range at Carleton College is 32 to 34. Aim for 34 to make the score a clear strength.
What is the acceptance rate at Carleton College?
Carleton College admits about 20.4% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.
How much does Carleton College cost?
Published tuition and fees are $68,892 in-state and $68,892 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $25,407 after grant aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.
FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →