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Carleton College

Northfield, United States

  • Cost of Living$ 16,236
  • Tuition Fee From$ 54,438
  • Country Rank#293
  • Batch Strength2,105
  • Global Diversity-
  • Gender Ratio-

Overview

About

Carleton College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, is widely recognized as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. Founded in 1866, Carleton has a rich history of academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility.

Academics at Carleton are centred around a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, which emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. The college offers 33 majors, including many interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore a variety of fields. Carleton is also one of the few liberal arts colleges to offer a major in computer science, reflecting its commitment to preparing students for success in the modern world.

Carleton's faculty is composed of highly respected scholars and teachers, who are committed to working closely with students both in and out of the classroom. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, students have the opportunity to work closely with their professors, conduct research, participate in independent study projects, and engage in one-on-one conversations.

Beyond academics, Carleton has a vibrant student life. With over 200 student organizations and clubs, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved and pursue their interests, whether that be in the arts, athletics, or community service. Carleton is also home to a number of unique campus traditions, including the legendary "Primal Scream" at midnight before finals, the annual Winter Ball, and the all-campus Trivia Contest.

Ranking

US News and World Report of 2024 placed the university at #9 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. Secondly, Carleton was also ranked #22 in Best Value Schools by the same publication. A new list released by the university was Study Abroad this year, wherein the university appeared at #28. 

Carleton College is a highly regarded private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. It is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. Here are some of the most recent rankings:

  • #93 - Best Colleges In Nation - College Factual 2024
  • #2 - Best Colleges In Massachusetts - College Factual 2024
  • #289 - Best Value Colleges in America
  • #146 - Most Diverse Colleges in America
  • #81 - Best Colleges in America
  • #57 - Top Private Universities in America
  • #36 - Best Colleges for Global Studies in America

 

Course-wise Rankings: 

  • #28 - Best Colleges for Art in America
  • #30 - Best Colleges for International Relations in America
  • #46 - Best Colleges for History in America
  • #53 - Best Colleges for Physics in America
  • #54 - Best Colleges for Chemistry in America
  • #57 - Best Colleges for Anthropology and Sociology in America
  • #84 - Best Colleges for Math in America
  • #100 - Best Colleges for Economics in America
  • #114 - Best Colleges for Psychology in America

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

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Facilities

Carleton College offers a range of facilities for its students that help them develop academically and in other parts of their lives. Most of the facilities at the college are accessible to students as well as the faculty and staff. These services also help in building a community in the college.

 

Academic Buildings: Carleton College has several academic buildings, including the Goodsell Observatory, Olin Hall of Science, and the Weitz Center for Creativity, which houses classrooms, labs, and studios.

 

Libraries: The college has two libraries, the Gould Library, and the Music Library. The libraries offer a collection of over 1 million print and digital resources, including books, journals, and databases.

 

Athletic Facilities: Carleton College has several athletic facilities, including a fitness centre, a fieldhouse, a swimming pool, and several athletic fields. The facilities are open to all students and are used for intramural sports, fitness classes, and varsity sports.

 

Residential Halls: Carleton College has several residential halls on its campus, which house students in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. The halls have lounges, kitchens, and laundry facilities.

 

Dining Options: The college has several dining options on campus, including the Burton Dining Hall, which serves three meals a day, and several cafes and coffee shops, including Sayles Cafe and The Cave.

 

Health Services: The college has a health centre that provides medical and counselling services to students. The centre offers preventative care, treatment of illnesses, and mental health services.

Notable Alumni

Jonathan Capehart
Jonathan Capehart
American journalist
Peter Tork
Peter Tork
American musician
Dennis Meadows
Dennis Meadows
American scientist

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

Carleton College acceptance rate is 17% for international students in 2024. It is found among the top 5% of the most difficult universities to get into in the United States. Therefore getting here is quite a tedious process and students should be over-achieving in every sense. 

Carleton College has always had a very low acceptance rate. It has averaged 20.23% over the past nine years, with 16.63% in 2023. The average yield is 36.85%, and 37.28% in 2023. The number of applicants increased by 8.44% (668 applicants) compared to the previous year.

 

Entry Requirements

The institution is a popular choice for many students. Its admissions process is moderately competitive, but requirements vary depending on the programs you wish to study. You can apply from the institution’s official website, or you may have to pay an application fee. Below are the supporting documents required for admission:

  • Copies of Official transcripts
  • Mark sheets in English or Translated in English
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Academic LOR
  • Professional LOR
  • English proficiency test scores
  • Certification of Finances
  • Visa verification documents

 

Accepted English Proficiency test scores

  • TOEFL iBT - 100
  • TOEFL PBT - 600
  • TOEFL CBT - 250
  • IELTS - 7.0
  • Duolingo - 120

 

Fees

The institution offers several programs at different levels. Listed below are the fees based on various courses

  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Computer Science - $54,438 /Year
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Political Science - $54,438 /Year
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Chemistry - $54,438 /Year
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Physics - $54,438 /Year
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Mathematics - $54,438 /Year
  • M.Eng Mechanical Engineering - $28,707 /Yr
  • M.Eng Electrical and Computer Engineering - $28,707 /Yr
  • M.I.T - $28,707 /Yr
  • M.Eng Civil Engineering - $28,707 /Yr 
  • M.Eng Technology Innovation Management - $28,707 /Yr 
  • M.Eng Aerospace Engineering - $28,707 /Yr 

Scholarship

Carleton College provides a range of financial aid options for students. The institute offers merit-based scholarships, having awarded 36 National Merit Scholarships. A significant amount of $55.8 million was utilised by the college to provide financial aid to students. Carleton College participates in various federal grant programmes, such as the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), among others. Additionally, the college facilitates access to federal student loan programs like the Federal Direct Stafford Subsidised Loan Programme and Federal Direct PLUS Loans to further assist students in financing their education.

If you’re not qualified for any university merit-based scholarships then turning to external financial aid can be helpful. UniScholars is one such global marketplace of external scholarships wherein you can get the necessary help to study abroad.

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Carleton College. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Carleton College. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

Northfield, Minnesota is a small but vibrant college town that is home to two prestigious liberal arts colleges, Carleton College and St. Olaf College. As a result, Northfield has a bustling student life with plenty of activities and events for students to enjoy. One of the most popular aspects of student life in Northfield is the thriving arts scene. The town is home to several art galleries, theatres, and music venues, including the historic Grand Event Center, which hosts concerts, comedy shows, and other events throughout the year. Both Carleton and St. Olaf also have their own theatre and music departments, which put on a range of student performances, including plays, musicals, and concerts. Northfield is also known for its natural beauty, with several parks and trails for hiking, biking, and skiing. The nearby Cannon River is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing, and the Carleton Arboretum is a beautiful nature reserve that offers opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. Below is a list of the expenses that prospective students should keep in mind

 

Items

Cost

Off-Campus Accommodation 

$500

On-Campus Accommodation

$950

Transportation

$85

Food Cost

$540

Utility Cost

$144

Entertainment

$48

Groceries

$56

Clothes

$124

Health Insurance

$80

Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation 

$1577

Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation 

$2027

Annual Cost of Living

$24324

FAQs