Choosing the right college is a critical decision that can shape your future. In this article, we compare Carleton College and St Olaf College, two renowned liberal arts colleges in Northfield, Minnesota. We will examine various aspects such as costs, tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, students, campus life, alumni, rankings, and outcomes to help you make an informed choice.
Carleton College Overview
Carleton College, founded in 1866, is a private liberal arts college known for its rigorous academic standards, diverse student body, and commitment to social responsibility. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines, fostering a vibrant learning environment that encourages critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
Carleton College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance at Carleton College, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is around $76,600 per year. However, the college offers generous financial aid packages to its students, with around 59% of students receiving need-based financial aid. The average financial aid package for first-year students is about $51,900.
Carleton College Admissions
Admission to Carleton College is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 19%. The middle 50% of enrolled students have an ACT score between 31 and 34, and an SAT score between 1390 and 1530. The college practices a holistic admission process, considering factors like academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities, alongside standardized test scores.
Carleton College Degrees Offered
Carleton College offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees in over 33 majors, including popular disciplines like biology, economics, psychology, and political science. The college also has a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies and encourages students to pursue double majors or design their own unique major.
Carleton College Academics
Academics at Carleton College are rigorous, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, ensuring personalized attention and close interaction between students and professors. The college follows a trimester system with three 10-week terms, allowing students to delve deep into their chosen subjects and explore various academic interests.
Carleton College Diversity
Carleton College is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus. About 25% of its student body comes from underrepresented groups, and the college has initiatives in place to support international students and those from diverse backgrounds.
Carleton College Students
Carleton College has a vibrant student community of around 2,000 students, with nearly all of them living on campus. Students are actively involved in over 250 student organizations, including clubs, sports, and volunteer opportunities, fostering a strong sense of community and personal growth.
Carleton College Campus
The Carleton College campus spans over 1,000 acres, featuring state-of-the-art academic facilities, residential halls, recreational spaces, and a picturesque arboretum. The campus is also home to various cultural and artistic centers, promoting a thriving arts and music scene.
Carleton College Alumni
Carleton College has an extensive network of accomplished alumni, including notable figures in academia, business, politics, and the arts. Some prominent alumni include Thorstein Veblen, an influential economist, and Gretchen Morgenson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
Carleton College Rankings
Carleton College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the US. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the college ranked 9th among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Carleton College Outcomes
Graduates of Carleton College are well-prepared for success in their chosen fields, with an average starting salary of around $58,900. The college boasts a 94% graduation rate, with 81% of graduates earning their degrees within four years.
St Olaf College Overview
St Olaf College, founded in 1874, is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The college is known for its strong liberal arts curriculum, vibrant campus life, and commitment to global and environmental issues.
St Olaf College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance at St Olaf College, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is approximately $66,500 per year. The college offers financial aid packages to its students, with around 80% of students receiving some form of financial aid. The average financial aid package for first-year students is about $34,600.
St Olaf College Admissions
Admission to St Olaf College is fairly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 48%. The middle 50% of enrolled students have an ACT score between 25 and 32, and an SAT score between 1230 and 1440. The college considers various factors during the admission process, including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.
St Olaf College Degrees Offered
St Olaf College offers undergraduate degrees in over 40 majors and various interdisciplinary programs, including popular disciplines like economics, biology, psychology, and music. The college also encourages students to engage in collaborative research and study abroad experiences.
St Olaf College Academics
Academics at St Olaf College are challenging, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, ensuring individual attention and close interaction between students and professors. The college follows a 4-1-4 academic calendar, with a January Interim term that allows students to focus on one intensive course or engage in off-campus study experiences.
St Olaf College Diversity
St Olaf College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment. Around 21% of its student population comes from underrepresented groups, and the college offers various programs and resources to support students from diverse backgrounds.
St Olaf College Students
St Olaf College has a close-knit student community of around 3,000 students, with a strong emphasis on residential living and involvement in student organizations. The college offers over 200 clubs and organizations, including sports teams, performance groups, and volunteer opportunities.
St Olaf College Campus
The St Olaf College campus covers nearly 300 acres, featuring modern academic facilities, residential halls, and recreation spaces. The campus is also home to several cultural centers and performance venues, promoting a vibrant arts community.
St Olaf College Alumni
St Olaf College has a strong alumni network, with graduates finding success in various fields such as academia, business, politics, and the arts. Notable alumni include James Hong, a prominent actor, and Ann Bancroft, a renowned polar explorer.
St Olaf College Rankings
St Olaf College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the college ranked 63rd among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
St Olaf College Outcomes
Graduates of St Olaf College are well-prepared for their future careers, with an average starting salary of around $49,800. The college has a 92% graduation rate, with around 78% of graduates earning their degrees within four years.
Carleton College vs St Olaf College Cost Comparison
Carleton College’s total cost of attendance is higher than that of St Olaf College, at around $76,600 compared to $66,500. However, Carleton College offers more generous financial aid packages, with an average aid package of $51,900 compared to St Olaf’s average of $34,600. Both colleges offer need-based aid to a significant percentage of their students.
Carleton College vs St Olaf College Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at Carleton College are more competitive than those at St Olaf College, with a 19% acceptance rate compared to St Olaf’s 48% acceptance rate. Carleton College’s enrolled students also tend to have slightly higher standardized test scores, with a middle 50% ACT range of 31-34 and SAT range of 1390-1530 compared to St Olaf’s ACT range of 25-32 and SAT range of 1230-1440. Both colleges employ a holistic admission process, considering various factors beyond test scores.
Carleton College vs St Olaf College Academic Difficulty
Both Carleton College and St Olaf College are known for their rigorous academics and commitment to a liberal arts education. Carleton College has a lower student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1 compared to St Olaf’s 12:1, suggesting more personalized attention and closer interactions between students and faculty. While both colleges have challenging curricula, Carleton College is generally considered more academically demanding.
Carleton College vs St Olaf College Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both Carleton College and St Olaf College are well-prepared for success in their chosen fields. However, Carleton College graduates tend to have slightly higher average starting salaries ($58,900 compared to $49,800) and higher graduation rates (94% compared to 92%). Both colleges have strong alumni networks and consistently rank among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation.
