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Carleton College vs College of Saint Benedict

Carleton College is a private college in Northfield, MN. College of Saint Benedict is a private college in Saint Joseph, MN. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants and College of Saint Benedict about 92%, making Carleton College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $25,407 a year at Carleton College after aid, and about $26,640 at College of Saint Benedict. About 90% of students graduate at Carleton College, compared with 80% at College of Saint Benedict. Ten years after enrolling, Carleton College alumni earn a median of about $75,525, against $63,260 for College of Saint Benedict.

Carleton College

Northfield, MN · Private

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Northfield, MN
Saint Joseph, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,086
1,370
Acceptance rate
20%
92%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.56–4
3.25–3.75
SAT (middle 50%)
1450–1560
1048–1233
ACT (middle 50%)
32–34
20–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,407
$26,640
Full cost / yr
$84,893
$68,453
In-state tuition
$68,892
$55,756
Out-of-state tuition
$68,892
$55,756
Application fee
$0
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,881
$12,981
$30k - $48k
$8,203
$14,791
$48k - $75k
$9,680
$20,378
$75k - $110k
$18,485
$24,039
Over $110k
$44,082
$33,660
Outcomes
Graduation rate
90%
80%
Freshman retention
96%
86%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$53,989
$54,567
Median earnings (10 yr)
$75,525
$63,260
Median debt at graduation
$16,750
$26,944
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
20%
First-generation students
16%
21%
International students
10%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Carleton College or College of Saint Benedict harder to get into?
Carleton College is harder to get into. It admits about 20% of applicants, compared with 92% at College of Saint Benedict. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Carleton College or College of Saint Benedict?
Carleton College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $25,407 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,640 at College of Saint Benedict. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Carleton College and College of Saint Benedict?
Before aid, College of Saint Benedict costs about $68,453 a year and Carleton College about $84,893. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Carleton College or College of Saint Benedict?
Carleton College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,881 there, against about $12,981 at College of Saint Benedict. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Carleton College or College of Saint Benedict?
Carleton College is the larger of the two, with about 2,086 undergraduates against 1,370 at College of Saint Benedict.
Does Carleton College or College of Saint Benedict have a better graduation rate?
Carleton College has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 80% at College of Saint Benedict.
Do graduates of Carleton College or College of Saint Benedict earn more?
Carleton College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $75,525 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,260 for College of Saint Benedict. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Carleton College and College of Saint Benedict require SAT or ACT scores?
Carleton College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. College of Saint Benedict is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Carleton College and College of Saint Benedict look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1450–1560 at Carleton College and 1048–1233 at College of Saint Benedict. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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