Carleton College vs Southwest Minnesota State University
Carleton College is a private college in Northfield, MN, and Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university in Marshall, MN. Carleton College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 20% of applicants against 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Southwest Minnesota State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,291 a year against $25,407 at Carleton College. About 90% of students graduate at Carleton College, compared with 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Ten years after enrolling, Carleton College alumni earn a median of about $75,525, against $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University.
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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.
- Is Carleton College or Southwest Minnesota State University harder to get into?
- Carleton College is harder to get into. It admits about 20% of applicants, compared with 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. 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 Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,291 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 Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Before aid, Southwest Minnesota State University costs about $24,757 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 Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Carleton College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,881 there, against about $10,559 at Southwest Minnesota State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Carleton College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is the larger of the two, with about 2,315 undergraduates against 2,086 at Carleton College.
- Does Carleton College or Southwest Minnesota State University have a better graduation rate?
- Carleton College has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University.
- Do graduates of Carleton College or Southwest Minnesota State University earn more?
- Carleton College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $75,525 ten years after enrolling, against about $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Carleton College and Southwest Minnesota State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Carleton College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southwest Minnesota State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Carleton College and Southwest Minnesota State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1450–1560 at Carleton College and 935–1102 at Southwest Minnesota State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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