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Carleton College vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Carleton College is a private college in Northfield, MN. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private university in Winona, MN. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota about 93%, making Carleton College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,704 a year at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota after aid, and about $25,407 at Carleton College. About 90% of students graduate at Carleton College, compared with 67% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Ten years after enrolling, Carleton College alumni earn a median of about $75,525, against $58,170 for Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Carleton College

Northfield, MN · Private

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Northfield, MN
Winona, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,086
1,073
Acceptance rate
20%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.56–4
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1450–1560
1030–1196
ACT (middle 50%)
32–34
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,407
$11,704
Full cost / yr
$84,893
$57,380
In-state tuition
$68,892
$45,080
Out-of-state tuition
$68,892
$45,080
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,881
$16,182
$30k - $48k
$8,203
$15,175
$48k - $75k
$9,680
$15,030
$75k - $110k
$18,485
$14,771
Over $110k
$44,082
$6,135
Outcomes
Graduation rate
90%
67%
Freshman retention
96%
75%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$53,989
$54,549
Median earnings (10 yr)
$75,525
$58,170
Median debt at graduation
$16,750
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
25%
First-generation students
16%
26%
International students
10%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota harder to get into?
Carleton College is harder to get into. It admits about 20% of applicants, compared with 93% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,704 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Before aid, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota costs about $57,380 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Carleton College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,881 there, against about $16,182 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Carleton College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Carleton College is the larger of the two, with about 2,086 undergraduates against 1,073 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Does Carleton College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota have a better graduation rate?
Carleton College has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 67% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Do graduates of Carleton College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn more?
Carleton College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $75,525 ten years after enrolling, against about $58,170 for Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Carleton College and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota require SAT or ACT scores?
Carleton College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Carleton College and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1450–1560 at Carleton College and 1030–1196 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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