More selective than 100% of Minnesota colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
30% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 27% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Carleton College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have Carleton College's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at Carleton College or have its file? Send it to us.
Carleton College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Carleton College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 720 | 770 |
| SAT math | 730 | 790 |
| ACT composite | 32 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1450 | 1560 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Carleton College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 20% | 720–770 | 730–790 | 32–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 22% | 710–760 | 720–790 | 32–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Carleton College compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Carleton College has the lowest acceptance rate of 36 Minnesota colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carleton College | 20% | 90% | $25,407 |
| 2 | Crown College | 23% | 45% | $26,672 |
| 3 | Macalester College | 29% | 87% | $32,149 |
| 4 | Bethany Lutheran College | 39% | 55% | $20,148 |
| 5 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | 39% | — | — |
| 6 | St Olaf College | 48% | 84% | $23,874 |
| 7 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | 48% | 51% | $29,926 |
| 8 | Bemidji State University | 56% | 48% | $15,261 |
| 9 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | 59% | 57% | $17,997 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Minnesota colleges →
Who enrolls at Carleton College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Carleton College admissions questions
What is the Carleton College acceptance rate?
Carleton College accepts 20% of applicants, about 1 in 5. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,440 of 6,464 applicants were admitted.
Does Carleton College require the SAT or ACT?
Carleton College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 30% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 27% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Carleton College?
The middle 50% of Carleton College enrolled first-year students scored 1450–1560 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Carleton College?
37% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (538 of 1,440).
Is Carleton College getting harder to get into?
Carleton College accepted 20% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 22% for Fall 2023.
Is Carleton College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Carleton College overview