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Carleton College vs Gustavus Adolphus College

Carleton College is a private college in Northfield, MN. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private college in Saint Peter, MN. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants and Gustavus Adolphus College about 61%, making Carleton College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $22,900 a year at Gustavus Adolphus College after aid, and about $25,407 at Carleton College. About 90% of students graduate at Carleton College, compared with 76% at Gustavus Adolphus College. Ten years after enrolling, Carleton College alumni earn a median of about $75,525, against $65,607 for Gustavus Adolphus College.

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Carleton College

Northfield, MN · Private

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Northfield, MN
Saint Peter, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,086
1,878
Acceptance rate
20%
61%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.56–4
3.51–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1450–1560
1160–1370
ACT (middle 50%)
32–34
24–30
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,407
$22,900
Full cost / yr
$84,893
$67,613
In-state tuition
$68,892
$56,076
Out-of-state tuition
$68,892
$56,076
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,881
$12,015
$30k - $48k
$8,203
$10,783
$48k - $75k
$9,680
$13,875
$75k - $110k
$18,485
$19,015
Over $110k
$44,082
$29,674
Outcomes
Graduation rate
90%
76%
Freshman retention
96%
88%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$53,989
$51,546
Median earnings (10 yr)
$75,525
$65,607
Median debt at graduation
$16,750
$26,774
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
21%
First-generation students
16%
15%
International students
10%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

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 Gustavus Adolphus College harder to get into?
Carleton College is harder to get into. It admits about 20% of applicants, compared with 61% at Gustavus Adolphus College. 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 Gustavus Adolphus College?
Gustavus Adolphus College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,900 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,407 at Carleton College. 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 Gustavus Adolphus College?
Before aid, Gustavus Adolphus College costs about $67,613 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 Gustavus Adolphus College?
Carleton College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,881 there, against about $12,015 at Gustavus Adolphus College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Carleton College or Gustavus Adolphus College?
Carleton College is the larger of the two, with about 2,086 undergraduates against 1,878 at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Does Carleton College or Gustavus Adolphus College have a better graduation rate?
Carleton College has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 76% at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Do graduates of Carleton College or Gustavus Adolphus College earn more?
Carleton College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $75,525 ten years after enrolling, against about $65,607 for Gustavus Adolphus College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Carleton College and Gustavus Adolphus College require SAT or ACT scores?
Carleton College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Gustavus Adolphus College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Carleton College and Gustavus Adolphus College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1450–1560 at Carleton College and 1160–1370 at Gustavus Adolphus College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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