Head-to-Head Comparison
Carleton College vs Grinnell College
- Carleton Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 12
- Grinnell Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Grinnell College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Carleton College achieves a higher graduation rate (90% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,407 compared to Grinnell College's $17,648 for in-state paths. Students who choose Grinnell College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $62,830 at ten years.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Carleton
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $75,525 ten years after enrollment, 20% more than Grinnell College
- Higher grad rate: 90% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,750, the lower of the two
Grinnell
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,648, roughly $7,759 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 15% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Carleton graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (18% of degrees); Grinnell in Social Sciences (29%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Carleton College over Grinnell College. Median earnings of $75,525 ten years after enrollment vs $62,830.
Pick Grinnell College over Carleton College. Net price $17,648 vs $25,407.
Pick Grinnell College over Carleton College. 1.5% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Carleton College and Grinnell College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Grinnell College is the harder admit. It takes 15% of applicants, while Carleton College takes 20%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,517 to 1,486.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Grinnell College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Grinnell College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,648, about $7,759 a year below Carleton College's $25,407. Graduates of Carleton College also borrow less: median debt of $16,750, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $31,036 before any change in aid. Choosing Grinnell College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Carleton College graduates report median earnings of $75,525, compared with $62,830 at Grinnell College. That is a 20% advantage. Set against borrowing, Carleton College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 20% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Grinnell College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.5%; at Carleton College, it is 1.4%. Grinnell College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Grinnell College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Grinnell College to keep costs and debt down; pick Carleton College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Grinnell College saves about $7,759 a year, yet Carleton College graduates earn $12,695 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Carleton College concentrates enrollment in Physical Sciences, while Grinnell College leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,407 runs well above Grinnell College's $17,648.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Grinnell College's enrollment, and Carleton College is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Grinnell offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Carleton does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
The Overviews
Carleton College
Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit
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.
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofit
Grinnell College has an impressive graduation rate of 88%. This high number reflects the school’s commitment to student success and academic support. With a small enrollment of 1,729 students, the college fosters an intimate learning environment that encourages close relationships between students and faculty.
Data from the Chetty/Opportunity Insights research highlights that Grinnell graduates can expect to earn about $62,830 within ten years of completing their degree. While specific mobility rates are not available, the college's focus on liberal arts education prepares students for diverse career paths, enhancing their economic outcomes over time.
The net price for attending Grinnell is $17,648, with a median debt of $17,500 for graduates. This financial landscape allows many students to thrive without overwhelming debt. Students who excel here often have strong interests in social sciences, biology, computer science, and psychology, making Grinnell a fitting choice for those passionate about these fields.
Rankings They Appear On
Carleton College is featured on the Best Colleges in Minnesota ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Carleton's top program is Computer Science (18% of enrollment), while Grinnell leads with Sociology (29%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Carleton) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Grinnell).
The two schools feed different job markets. Carleton College is strongest in Physical Sciences, while Grinnell College concentrates in Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Carleton College or Grinnell College?
Grinnell College is harder to get into, admitting 15% of applicants compared with 20% at Carleton College.
Which is more affordable, Carleton College or Grinnell College?
Grinnell College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,648 after aid versus $25,407 at Carleton College.
Do Carleton College or Grinnell College graduates earn more?
Carleton College graduates earn more: median earnings of $75,525 ten years after enrollment, versus $62,830 at Grinnell College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Carleton College or Grinnell College?
Carleton College has the higher graduation rate, 90% versus 88%.
Carleton College vs Grinnell College: which is better for social mobility?
Grinnell College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.5% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Carleton College or Grinnell College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Grinnell College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Carleton College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Carleton and Grinnell stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
