When deciding which college to attend, students often consider factors such as cost, admission requirements, academic programs, campus life, and post-graduate outcomes. In this article, we will compare two reputed liberal arts colleges: Carleton College and Middlebury College. We will explore their overviews, costs & tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, students, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
Carleton College Overview
Carleton College, founded in 1866, is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. Known for its rigorous academics and close-knit community, Carleton offers over 30 majors and encourages interdisciplinary studies. The college has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, ensuring personalized attention from professors and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Carleton College Costs & Tuition
Tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year at Carleton College is $59,352, with an additional $15,318 for room and board. Approximately 56% of the student population receives financial aid, with an average need-based scholarship of $42,291 per year. The college meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students.
Carleton College Admissions
Carleton College is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 20.1% for the class of 2025. Admitted students typically have high test scores and strong academic backgrounds. The middle 50% range for the SAT is 1370-1530, and for the ACT, it is 31-34. The college is test-optional for students applying for the fall 2022 semester and beyond.
Carleton College Degrees Offered
Carleton College offers over 30 majors, including popular areas of study such as Biology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Computer Science. The college encourages interdisciplinary studies, allowing students to design their own major or pursue a double major or minor in an additional field.
Carleton College Academics
Carleton’s academic calendar follows a trimester system, with each term lasting 10 weeks. This allows students to take three courses per term, focusing on fewer subjects at a time. The college is known for its rigorous academics, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving across all disciplines.
Carleton College Diversity
Carleton College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. The class of 2025 consists of 31% domestic students of color, and 9% international students. The college offers support programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds, such as TRIO and Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Carleton College Students
The Carleton College student body consists of around 2,000 undergraduate students, with a gender distribution of 52% female and 48% male. The students are known for their collaborative nature, intellectual curiosity, and active participation in extracurricular activities ranging from sports to arts to community service.
Carleton College Campus
Carleton College’s campus spans over 1,000 acres, including a 880-acre arboretum providing opportunities for research, recreation, and environmental stewardship. The college offers various housing options, including residence halls, townhouses, and interest-based housing communities. Students have access to numerous on-campus resources, such as athletic facilities, libraries, and dining options.
Carleton College Alumni
Carleton College has a strong alumni network, with notable graduates including Thorstein Veblen (economist), Peter Tork (musician), and Tim Walz (Minnesota Governor). Alumni have pursued successful careers in various fields, including business, education, law, and public service.
Carleton College Rankings
According to the U.S. News & World Report, Carleton College ranks #9 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #16 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. The college is also well-regarded for its commitment to undergraduate research, study abroad programs, and sustainability initiatives.
Carleton College Outcomes
Carleton College boasts a strong post-graduate outcomes record, with 94% of graduates employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The college provides support for students through its career center, offering resources such as career counseling, internships, and networking opportunities with alumni.
Middlebury College Overview
Founded in 1800, Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont. The college is known for its strong emphasis on environmental studies, languages, and international studies. Middlebury offers over 45 majors and has a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, providing an intimate learning environment.
Middlebury College Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, Middlebury College’s tuition is $58,316, with an additional $16,470 for room and board. Around 44% of students receive financial aid, with an average need-based scholarship of $43,923 per year. Like Carleton, Middlebury meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students.
Middlebury College Admissions
Middlebury College is also highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 18.4% for the class of 2025. Admitted students have strong academic profiles, with the middle 50% range for the SAT being 1370-1520 and for the ACT being 32-34. Middlebury has adopted a test-optional policy for the fall 2022 semester and beyond.
Middlebury College Degrees Offered
Middlebury College offers over 45 majors, including popular areas of study such as Environmental Studies, International Studies, Economics, Political Science, and English. The college also offers joint degree programs with other institutions, such as the Middlebury-Columbia Dual Degree Program in Environmental Science.
Middlebury College Academics
Middlebury follows a 4-1-4 academic calendar, with two semesters and a four-week winter term called “J-term” in between. During J-term, students can take one course, pursue an internship, or engage in independent research projects. The college is known for its strong language programs, offering instruction in 11 languages and emphasizing cultural immersion.
Middlebury College Diversity
Middlebury College is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus. The class of 2025 consists of 29% domestic students of color and 13% international students. The college offers various resources and support programs for underrepresented students, such as the Anderson Freeman Resource Center and the Posse program.
Middlebury College Students
Middlebury College has approximately 2,500 undergraduate students, with a gender distribution of 53% female and 47% male. Students are active in various extracurricular activities, including over 200 student-run clubs and organizations, athletics, and community engagement programs.
Middlebury College Campus
Middlebury’s campus covers 350 acres in rural Vermont, surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests. The college offers a range of housing options, such as traditional residence halls, special interest houses, and townhouses. On-campus facilities include the state-of-the-art Mahaney Arts Center, athletic complexes, and various dining options.
Middlebury College Alumni
Middlebury College has a distinguished alumni network, including notable graduates such as Robert Frost (poet), Kirsten Gillibrand (U.S. Senator), and Wyatt Tee Walker (Civil Rights leader). Alumni have pursued successful careers in various sectors such as academia, business, government, and the arts.
Middlebury College Rankings
Middlebury College is ranked #7 among National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The college also ranks #15 for Best Undergraduate Teaching and is known for its strong study abroad programs and commitment to sustainability.
Middlebury College Outcome
Middlebury College has a strong record of post-graduate outcomes, with 95% of graduates employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The college’s Center for Careers and Internships provides resources such as career counseling, internship opportunities, and alumni networking events.
Carleton College vs Middlebury College Cost Comparison
Both Carleton College and Middlebury College are expensive, with annual tuition and fees exceeding $58,000. However, both institutions are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students and offer generous need-based scholarships. The average need-based scholarship at Carleton is $42,291, while at Middlebury, it is $43,923.
Carleton College vs Middlebury College Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Carleton College and Middlebury College are highly competitive, with acceptance rates of 20.1% and 18.4%, respectively. Both colleges have similar average test score ranges and strong academic profiles for admitted students. Additionally, both institutions have adopted test-optional policies for the fall 2022 semester and beyond.
Carleton College vs Middlebury College Academic Difficulty
Both Carleton College and Middlebury College are known for their rigorous academics and commitment to undergraduate education. Carleton follows a trimester system, while Middlebury follows a 4-1-4 calendar with a winter term. Both institutions have low student-faculty ratios and emphasize critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, and research across disciplines.
Carleton College vs Middlebury College Outcome Comparison
Both Carleton College and Middlebury College have strong post-graduate outcomes, with over 94% of graduates employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. Both colleges provide support to students through their respective career centers, offering resources such as career counseling, internships, and alumni networking opportunities.
