Northfield, MN · Private Nonprofit

Carleton College Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Carleton College cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Competitive value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$84,893
Net Price$25,407
Median Earnings$75,525
Graduation Rate89.6%
Median Debt$15,960
Admission Rate20.4%
Student Count2,086
SAT Average1,517

Carleton College Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $25,407
Money available $0
Still needed per year $25,407
Monthly gap $2,117

Four-year projection: about $101,628 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $15,960.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$75,525Total cost$84,893Net price$25,407Median debt$15,960

Value Score Comparison

Carleton College64.6Dataset avg54.3MN avg54.8
Median earnings35% better than dataset average
$75,525
Total annual cost96% weaker than dataset average
$84,893
Average net price19% weaker than dataset average
$25,407
Graduation rate32.8 percentage points better than dataset average
89.6%
Median debt2% better than dataset average
$15,960

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

MN Average

Value Score: 54.8

Net Price: $21,767

Earnings: $56,957

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $25,407, compared with reported total cost of $84,893.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $75,525 and the graduation rate is 89.6%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $15,960, while the loan share is 43.4%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 20.4% and Pell Grant share is 16.5%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePrivate Nonprofit
LocationNorthfield, MN
Admission Rate20.4%
In-State Tuition$68,892
Out-of-State Tuition$68,892
Total Cost$84,893
Net Price$25,407
Median Earnings$75,525
Graduation Rate89.6%
Median Debt$15,960
Pell Grant Share16.5%
Loan Share43.4%
Average Faculty Salary$13,960
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 30.2 + graduation 22.4 + net price 6.5 + total cost 0.0 + debt 5.4 = 64.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings30.2$75,525 · max 40 pts
Graduation22.489.6% · max 25 pts
Net Price6.5$25,407 · max 15 pts
Total Cost0.0$84,893 · max 10 pts
Debt5.4$15,960 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.