Carleton College Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements (2025)

Carleton College is one of the renowned universities in the USA. It is very competitive to get admission to. The acceptance rate of Carleton College is 16.63%. This means that only 17 out of every 100 applicants are admitted.

How Competitive are Carleton College Admissions?

Highly Competitive: Applicants need strong academics and extracurriculars.
GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

Carleton College Admission Competitiveness

With one of the lowest acceptance rates in the US, you need to be excellent in every area to get selected. However, since the acceptance rate is not below 10%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not perfect. You can make up for a GPA deficiency by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses. Meeting Carleton College\'s GPA and standardized test (SAT/ACT) requirements is crucial, as failing to do so may prevent your application from moving forward. These requirements act as automatic filters, so meeting them is vital; failing to do so makes your chance of getting in nearly zero.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.

Carleton College Admission Requirements

Carleton College GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at Carleton College is 3.9. This indicates extreme selectivity in admissions.

To have strong chances, you must aim for straight A’s in all courses.

If your GPA is between 3.6 and 3.9, then you need a high SAT or ACT score to compensate. You need a minimum of 3.5 GPA to have a realistic chance of admission.

Can I Get Into Carleton College Without SAT Or ACT?: Carleton College considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

Carleton College SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Carleton College Average SAT Score: 1486
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Carleton College is 1486 on the 1600 SAT scale.

Carleton College SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1486 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1550 SAT or 35 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Carleton College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1430, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Carleton College. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

Carleton College SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
SAT Math	750	720	780
SAT Reading	740	710	770
SAT Composite	1486	1430	1550

It means that if you have scored less than 1430 then you are below most of the admitted students at Carleton College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1550 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1500

Can I get into Carleton College with a 1550 SAT?

With a 1550 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Carleton College are good but the admission staff at Carleton College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Carleton College ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Carleton College is 34.

Carleton College ACT Competitiveness

This score makes Carleton College Extremely Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do extremely well to score 34 on the ACT.

Carleton College ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
ACT Math	32	29	34
ACT English	34	33	35
ACT Composite	34	32	35

Can I get into Carleton College with a 35 ACT?

With a 35 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Carleton College are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Carleton College. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 34.

Carleton College Profile

Name: Carleton College

City: Northfield

URL: https://www.carleton.edu/

State: Minnesota

Type: Non-Profit Private

Zip: 55057

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Carleton College

Boost Your Test Scores: Retake the SAT/ACT if needed. Use resources to improve your score.

Focus on Academics: Maintain a high GPA and take challenging courses.

Extracurricular Activities: Carleton College values well-rounded students who make meaningful contributions to their communities. Here’s how to showcase your strengths:

Highlight long-term commitments, and unique accomplishments.
Leaderships: Demonstrate clear leadership experience. This is not only true for Carleton College but also other schools. If you cannot demonstrate strong leadership qualities, your chances of acceptance will be low. Work on your weak areas, and improve your communication and interpersonal skills. Also, include your work experiences where you were given leadership responsibilities, and write down your achievements and how you were able to contribute as a team leader and team member.
Community Service: Show how you have influenced change in the community and have a strong desire to do so in the future. Also, if you are planning to apply for Carleton College, participate in relevant activities. Work for social welfare and look for opportunities where you can make an impact. Start with your school or student council. Those having positions like president, secretary generals etc… in students councils have better chances. Network with notable people and develop your social media profile accordingly.
Passion Projects: Whether it’s starting a club, publishing research, or excelling in the arts, show what sets you apart. Example: If you’ve founded a nonprofit or won a national competition, make sure it’s prominently featured in your application.
Align your goals with Carleton College’s mission. Carefully read the objectives and mission of Carleton College on their official website and plan accordingly for each specific point. See how well your profile matches their objectives and goals, and work on the areas where you are lacking.
Secure Strong Recommendations: Get letters from professors or employers who know your abilities well. Share your achievements and goals with them for a stronger, more personalized recommendation. If personal statement and recommendations align, your chances of success will be higher.
Build a Strong Network: Engage with Carleton College Alumni and current students. Ask them how they planned their scholarship journey, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Learn about the key factors behind their success and how they secured their selection.
Craft Strong Essays: Tell your story authentically and highlight what makes you unique. College Essay is a very important document. Unlike your transcripts, which just show your numbers or grades, the essay reflects your true personality as a human being. Take considerable time to refine and craft your statement of purpose. Here are the detailed guidelines for writing a winning College Essay form our experts.

Does a degree from Carleton College Worth It?

Getting into Carleton College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Carleton College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision. Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Carleton College is USD: 71070.84 and unemployment rate is 3.23%.

How much does a degree from Carleton College Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Carleton College is USD: 78315. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Carleton College is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

13.99% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 44.86 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Carleton College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Carleton College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Carleton College as your choice in the form.

How much a Carleton College Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the Carleton College graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 75525. An average Carleton College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Carleton College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Carleton College, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Scripps College	Scripps College, CA	1467	33
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL	1440	32
Tulane University of Louisiana	Tulane University of Louisiana, LA	1443	32
University of Maryland-College Park	University of Maryland-College Park, MD	1461	32
Boston University	Boston University, MA	1454	33
Brandeis University	Brandeis University, MA	1473	33
Smith College	Smith College, MA	1455	33
Hillsdale College	Hillsdale College, MI	1440	32
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, MI	1473	33
Stevens Institute of Technology	Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ	1455	33

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Carleton College. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Carleton College, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Emory University	Emory University, GA	1493	33
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA	1480	33
Grinnell College	Grinnell College, IA	1480	33
Bates College	Bates College, ME	1480	33
Barnard College	Barnard College, NY	1495	33

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Carleton College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Harvey Mudd College	Harvey Mudd College, CA	1539	35
Pomona College	Pomona College, CA	1520	34
University of Southern California	University of Southern California, CA	1520	34
Yale University	Yale University, CT	1547	34
University of Chicago	University of Chicago, IL	1532	35

Degree Programs

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by Carleton College.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.