Carleton College

Northfield, MN · Private non-profit · Liberal arts / baccalaureate college

SAT middle 50% (admitted students)

1450–1560

Median ~1510

Acceptance rate

20%

Enrollment

2,086

ACT middle 50%

32–34

Current admissions guidance for Carleton College

Carleton is a highly selective private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, with a reported 1450–1560 SAT middle-50% range in the federal College Scorecard snapshot. Its Fall 2027 application remains test-optional.

SAT/ACT policy

Carleton does not require Fall 2027 applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores. Students who choose to report testing can self-report results during the application process.

Application deadlines

Carleton offers Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. Applicants should confirm the current cycle's exact dates on the college's official deadline page before submitting.

How to use your SAT score

A score within or above 1450–1560 can reinforce preparation for a highly selective review.
Applicants may omit scores that do not represent their academic record.
Use Early Decision only when Carleton is the clear first choice because the agreement is binding.

Admissions details checked July 17, 2026. Verify policies before applying: Carleton application requirements · Carleton standardized testing policy.

How Carleton College compares

The ~1510 SAT midpoint ranks #10 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #1 of 2 in MN.
Its 20% acceptance rate is more selective than 88% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
Reported section midpoints skew 20 points toward Math (750 Math vs 730 Reading and Writing).
Median earnings 10 years after entry ($75,525) are $12,459 above the $63,066 median across that pool.

National SAT rank

#10 of 197

SAT rank in MN

#1 of 2

More selective than

88% of ranked colleges

Earnings vs national median

+$12,459

What the numbers say about Carleton College

The reported middle 50% spans 110 points, from 1450 to 1560. A planning score near or above 1600 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
The reported section midpoints are 730 Reading and Writing and 750 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
The Scorecard snapshot reports a 20% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
Reported outcomes include a 90% completion rate and $75,525 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.

Understand a 1510 SAT score Plan for a 1600 Verify current admissions policy

Tuition and outcomes

Tuition (in-state)

$68,892

Tuition (out-of-state)

$68,892

Median earnings 10 years after entry

$75,525

4-year completion rate (150% time)

90%

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

How your SAT score lines up

The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1450 and 1560. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

1600 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
1560 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
1510 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
1450 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.

At or above 1560

Strong relative score

At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

1450–1550

Within the reported range

Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

Below 1450

Below the reported range

Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

Compare to other colleges →

Colleges with similar SAT scores

Ranked by proximity to Carleton College's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

College	Location	SAT middle 50%	Acceptance rate
Boston College	Chestnut Hill, MA	1440–1540	16%
Middlebury College	Middlebury, VT	1450–1550	11%
Washington and Lee University	Lexington, VA	1430–1540	14%
Bowdoin College	Brunswick, ME	1470–1550	7%
University of Southern California	Los Angeles, CA	1450–1550	10%
Wellesley College	Wellesley, MA	1460–1560	14%

FAQs

What SAT score do I need for Carleton College?

Carleton College's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1450–1560, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1600 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

What is Carleton College's acceptance rate?

Carleton College's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 20%.

How much does it cost to attend Carleton College?

Published tuition is approximately $68,892 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

Is Carleton College test-optional?

Carleton does not require Fall 2027 applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores. Students who choose to report testing can self-report results during the application process.

When are Carleton College's application deadlines?

Carleton offers Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. Applicants should confirm the current cycle's exact dates on the college's official deadline page before submitting.

Official site: www.carleton.edu