# Carleton College

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carleton-college

## Overview

- **Location:** Northfield, MN
- **Type:** Private nonprofit
- **Setting:** Town
- **Region:** Plains
- **Enrollment:** 2,086
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

Carleton College has a tight-knit community of about 2,086 students, making it a great fit for those who thrive in smaller, focused environments. With an acceptance rate of just 20%, it attracts motivated learners who are serious about their education. You’ll find strong programs in areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Physical Sciences, Biology, and Psychology. This range reflects a commitment to academic excellence and fosters a culture of inquiry and engagement.

Looking at life after graduation, Carleton alumni enjoy impressive earning potential, with an average salary of $75,525 ten years post-graduation. This financial outcome highlights the value of a Carleton degree in the job market. The school also maintains a high graduation rate of 90%, indicating that students are supported throughout their journey, which can translate into better career opportunities down the line.

When considering the practical aspects, the net price after aid comes to $25,407, which is reasonable compared to many private institutions. Graduates leave with a median debt of $16,750, which is manageable for many. Those who thrive at Carleton often share a passion for learning, a willingness to engage with their community, and a drive to make the most of their college experience.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 20% |
| SAT Average | 1517 |
| ACT Midpoint | 33 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $68,892 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $68,892 |
| Average Net Price | $25,407 |
| Median Debt | $16,750 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 17% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 43% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $7,881 |
| $30K-$48K | $8,203 |
| $48K-$75K | $9,680 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $44,082 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 90% |
| Retention Rate | 96% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $53,989 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $70,720 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $75,525 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.22x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 136.62% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 5294.5% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 258.0% |
| Parent Median Income | $152,000 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.78 |
| Friending Bias | 0.00 |
| Volunteering Rate | 17.2% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Innovation (Opportunity Insights Patent Data)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Inventor Rate | 1.456% |
| Total Patents | 28 |
| Total Citations | 40 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Social Sciences | 20% |
| Computer Science & IT | 16% |
| Physical Sciences | 13% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 9% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 8% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 6% |
| English & Literature | 4% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 87 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #1 in [Best Colleges in Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-minnesota)
- #1 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-minnesota)
- #1 in [Best Master's Programs in Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-minnesota)
- #1 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-minnesota)
- #1 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-minnesota)
- #1 in [Best Biology Colleges in Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-minnesota)
- #1 in [Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-minnesota)
- #2 in [Best Colleges in Plains](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-plains)
- #16 in [Best Colleges for Building Social Capital](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-capital)
- #17 in [Best Liberal Arts Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-liberal-arts-colleges)
- #17 in [Best Small Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-small-colleges)
- #18 in [Best Colleges for Physical Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-physical-sciences)
- #18 in [Best Colleges for Environmental Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-environmental-science)
- #18 in [Best Bachelor's in Physical Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-physical-sciences)
- #18 in [Best Bachelor's in Environmental Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-environmental-science)
- #18 in [Best Master's in Physical Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-physical-sciences)
- #18 in [Best Master's in Environmental Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-environmental-science)
- #24 in [Best Colleges for Mathematics](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-mathematics)
- #24 in [Best Bachelor's in Mathematics](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-mathematics)
- #24 in [Best Master's in Mathematics](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-mathematics)
- #24 in [Best ROI Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-english)
- #24 in [Most Innovative Colleges in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-innovative-colleges)
- #25 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Mathematics](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-mathematics)
- #26 in [Best Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-english)
- #26 in [Best Bachelor's in English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-english)
- #26 in [Best Master's in English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-english)
- #26 in [Best ROI Colleges for Mathematics](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-mathematics)
- #26 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-english)
- #29 in [Best ROI Colleges for Physical Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-physical-sciences)
- #29 in [Best ROI Colleges for Environmental Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-environmental-science)
- #29 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Physical Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-physical-sciences)
- #29 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Environmental Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-environmental-science)
- #31 in [Best Colleges for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-computer-science)
- #31 in [Best Colleges for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-data-science)
- #31 in [Best Colleges for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-cybersecurity)
- #31 in [Best Colleges for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-information-technology)
- #31 in [Best Bachelor's in Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-computer-science)
- #31 in [Best Bachelor's in Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-data-science)
- #31 in [Best Bachelor's in Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-cybersecurity)
- #31 in [Best Bachelor's in Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-information-technology)
- #31 in [Best Master's in Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-computer-science)
- #31 in [Best Master's in Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-data-science)
- #31 in [Best Master's in Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-cybersecurity)
- #31 in [Best Master's in Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-information-technology)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-arts)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-graphic-design)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-english)
- #38 in [Best ROI Colleges for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-computer-science)
- #38 in [Best ROI Colleges for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-data-science)
- #38 in [Best ROI Colleges for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-cybersecurity)
- #38 in [Best ROI Colleges for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-information-technology)
- #41 in [Best Private Universities](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-universities)
- #41 in [Best Colleges for Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-sciences)
- #41 in [Best Colleges for Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-work)
- #41 in [Best Colleges for Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-public-administration)
- #41 in [Best Bachelor's in Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-social-sciences)
- #41 in [Best Bachelor's in Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-social-work)
- #41 in [Best Bachelor's in Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-public-administration)
- #41 in [Best Master's in Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-social-sciences)
- #41 in [Best Master's in Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-social-work)
- #41 in [Best Master's in Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-public-administration)
- #41 in [Best Private University Bachelor's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-bachelors)
- #41 in [Best Private University Master's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-masters)
- #41 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-arts)
- #41 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-graphic-design)
- #42 in [Colleges Where Graduates Earn Over $75K](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/graduates-earning-over-75k)
- #42 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-computer-science)
- #42 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-data-science)
- #42 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-cybersecurity)
- #42 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-information-technology)
- #45 in [Best Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-arts)
- #45 in [Best Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-graphic-design)
- #45 in [Best Bachelor's in Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-arts)
- #45 in [Best Bachelor's in Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-graphic-design)
- #45 in [Best ROI Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-psychology)
- #46 in [Best Master's in Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-arts)
- #46 in [Best Master's in Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-graphic-design)
- #46 in [Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-social-sciences)
- #46 in [Best ROI Colleges for Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-social-work)
- #46 in [Best ROI Colleges for Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-public-administration)
- #47 in [Best Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-psychology)
- #47 in [Best Bachelor's in Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-psychology)
- #47 in [Best Master's in Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-psychology)
- #47 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Mathematics](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-mathematics)
- #47 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Physical Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-physical-sciences)
- #47 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-environmental-science)
- #49 in [Colleges That Spend the Most on Instruction](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-instructional-spending)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Carleton College — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carleton-college