DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · NORTHFIELD, MN · PRIVATE

Carleton College

Carleton College
22.3%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

14% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Carleton enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$16,710
Total Cost of Attendance$84,893

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $7,881 $31,524
$30-48k $8,203 $32,812
$48-75k $9,680 $38,720
$75-110k $18,485 $73,940
$110k+ $44,082 $176,328

Financial Aid & Student Debt at Carleton College

14.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
$16,750
Median Debt at Graduation

Is Carleton College Worth the Cost? (ROI Analysis)

$75,525
Median Earnings (10yr)
$16,750
Median Debt
4.5x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

A ratio above 2x generally means the investment pays off. Carleton College — 4.5x ratio is excellent — graduates earn well relative to their debt burden.

Carleton College True Cost by Family Income

14% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Carleton enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $7,881 $31,524
$30-48k $8,203 $32,812
$48-75k $9,680 $38,720
$75-110k $18,485 $73,940
$110k+ $44,082 $176,328

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$16,710
Total Cost of Attendance$84,893

Financial Aid & Student Debt

14.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$16,750
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$53,989
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Carleton College Tuition & Cost FAQs

How much does Carleton College actually cost per year?
Carleton College's sticker price (cost of attendance) is $84,893/yr — that includes tuition, room and board, and fees. After financial aid, the average family pays just $17,666/yr, a 79% discount off sticker price.
Does Carleton College offer good financial aid?
14% of Carleton College students receive Pell Grants (federal need-based aid). Most US colleges including Carleton College also award institutional grants on top of federal aid — apply via FAFSA, plus the CSS Profile if Carleton College requires it.
What income bracket pays the least at Carleton College?
Families earning under $30,000/yr typically pay around $7,881/yr at Carleton College after financial aid, while families earning over $110,000/yr pay closer to $44,082/yr. The full breakdown by income bracket is in the True Cost table above.
Is Carleton College worth the cost?
Carleton College graduates earn a median of $75,525 10 years post-graduation. Against a 4-year sticker cost of about $339,572 (less for most families with aid), grads typically recoup the investment within several years of work.
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More About Carleton College

Carleton College Acceptance Rate Carleton College Tuition & Cost Transfer to Carleton College Carleton College Salary & ROI Carleton College AP Credit Best Majors at Carleton College Carleton College Housing International at Carleton College

Other Colleges in MN

University of Minnesota
77.0% accept · Minneapolis

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Carleton College is not affiliated with DeepColleges.