Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota
How selective is it?
Carleton College is in our Highly Selective tier (~15-30% acceptance). Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile.
Third-party estimates ~20-22%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use Carleton College in your college list
This is usually a reach or a high-end target. A strong, consistent record in the most rigorous courses available at your school helps, but admission isn't assured at typical-range numbers. Check whether your intended major is more competitive than the school overall.
Building a list across tiers? See all 9 Minnesota colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
Carleton College is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Astronomy.
Check the current numbers yourself
For Carleton College's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is Carleton College?+
Carleton College sits in our "Highly Selective" tier (~15-30% acceptance). Third-party estimates ~20-22%.
Is Carleton College hard to get into?+
Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check Carleton College's own admissions data for the current year.
What is Carleton College known for?+
Carleton College is widely recognized for strengths in Natural Sciences & Math. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find Carleton College's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "Carleton College Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is Carleton College?+
Carleton College is a private institution in Northfield, Minnesota.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with Carleton College. Always confirm details with the school.