Carleton College
Northfield, MN, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$30,843
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$16,366
$30k - $48k
$11,405
$48k - $75k
$15,350
$75k - $110k
$21,462
$110k+
$39,841
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$62,634
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$62,634
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$15,990
Books and Supplies
$938
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
14%
Average Aid Per Year
$43,432
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
14%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,733
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$41,132
Students receiving state aid
6%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$5,024
Students receiving federal aid
38%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,733
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$68,067
$30k - $48k
$60,865
$48k - $75k
$58,284
$75k - $110k
$51,407
$110k+
$34,393
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$57,667,508
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$1,246,596

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
38%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$4,978
Students receiving federal loans
37%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,035
Average Other Loans Per Year
$12,582
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,479
Loan Default Rate
1%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$148

What Students Are Saying

I am a firm believer in the fact that a good education is well worth the price of a school. And a Carleton education appears to me to be just that--a good education. Also, Carleton offers instrument/vocal lessons that are not counted as classes and are therefore considered to be free. So that's pretty awesome. AND they have really great financial aid that very nearly matched the offer made to me by an Ivy League school (which is saying something for such a small, relatively unknown liberal arts school).
Sara from Buda, TX
The sticker price is definitely high, but the value is worth it. Besides, the financial aid is pretty good. They also guarantee money for National Merit Finalists.
Katherine from Ann Arbor, MI
Financial aid was fantastic. This price of an education at Carleton was equivalent to that at a state school. The financial aid office is very good about working with students so that they are able to continue to go here. I have friends who have appealed and received more aid. Carleton is also great about giving out work study.
from MN
Carleton gives out pretty great financial aid packages, and I'd say I am definitely getting a lot of bang for my buck. The academics are great and pretty challenging, but the amount of support you can get to aid you in your academic growth is incredible. If you want it bad enough at Carleton, between academic support services and professors, you can find a way to get ANYTHING. Also, there are a bunch of study abroad programs that are covered by your tuition, which I think is great.
Canaan from Saint Bernard, LA
The tuition, 60,000 for 2014-15, is a bit steep. But they do provide scholarships and the education is beyond measure.
Anthony from Haslet, TX
They meet all of my determined financial need, but still the school is expensive to attend. I feel the board is a little steep considering the quality of the food, but it is not detrimental to my decision to return. Also I have built fantastic relationships with professors, but it isn't until you reach the higher level courses that you get the small class sizes that allows the intimate settings with students and professors.
Devin from Omaha, NE
Its a great community, education and environment, but I feel that tuition is a bit high. While they do have financial aid it is hard to justify this kind of tuition despite reputation.
Devin from Northfield, MN
Carleton is expensive. However, they do a good job at meeting financial needs. One of the very best things about Carleton is that after you figure out your tuition/financial aid, literally everything else is free. This means that you are never left out of activities or events because you can't afford them. Carleton hosts free events, concerts, and off-campus trips constantly.
Marie from Minneapolis, MN