Carleton College
Carleton College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Carleton College at a Glance
Carleton College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1866, the 200-acre (81 ha) main campus is between Northfield and the approximately 800-acre (320 ha) Cowling Arboretum, which became part of the campus in the 1920s.
1866
160 years old
$1.3B
$1.33 billion (2025)
2,019
268
1,040 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Carleton College
Official admissions pageJanuary 20 (Early Decision)
Testing policy
Is Carleton College Worth It?
Carleton College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $25,407/year, it's priced 25% above average, while graduates go on to earn $75,525 — 40% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 90% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 20% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Carleton College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 22 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #2 | Grinnell College | 78 | $17,648 | $62,830 |
| #3 | Wellesley College | 76 | $25,496 | $84,803 |
| #4 | Haverford College | 71 | $25,314 | $79,966 |
| #5 | Carleton College | 67 | $25,407 | $75,525 |
| #6 | Colgate University | 67 | $28,786 | $85,139 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Carleton College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MN.
Best Programs at Carleton College
The highest-earning program at Carleton College is Computer Science at $72,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $18,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Carleton College earns $72,500, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $18,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $13,500 in median debt vs. $16,800 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,407/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $72,500 | $72,500 | $13,500 |
| Economics | $51,200 | $51,200 | $12,500 |
| Psychology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $24,100 | $24,100 | $13,831 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $18,100 | $18,100 | $16,800 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Northfield, MN
- Student Body
- 2,086 students
- Admission Rate
- 20%
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,407
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $75,525
- Median Student Debt
- $16,750