by our College Data Analytics TeamIs Carleton worth the money? College Factual’s value analysis weighs the quality of education against the cost. Here is the verdict.
Carleton is ranked #2,507 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within Minnesota, it ranks #62 of 69 for value.
Among the majors Carleton offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Sociology & Anthropology | #8 of 15 |
| Political and Social Sciences | #8 of 15 |
| Statistics | #61 of 77 |
| Mathematics | #64 of 82 |
| International Relations | #70 of 115 |
| International Relations & National Security | #74 of 119 |
| Other Research & Experimental Psychology | #76 of 109 |
| Child Development & Psychology | #113 of 160 |
| General Physics | #148 of 183 |
| Physics | #151 of 188 |
Below is the detailed Carleton value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Carleton College is ranked #4 out of #72 in Minnesota for quality and #62 out of #69 for Minnesota value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the Carleton financial aid page to be sure.
Carleton College is ranked #2,507 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Carleton College is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Carleton costs about $46,822. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $187,288 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $84,893 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $25,407 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $46,822 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $187,288 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Carleton net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Carleton costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Carleton degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $339,572 | — | — |
| All Students | $187,288 | #2,507 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $101,628 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $339,572 | — | — |
| All Students | $187,288 | #62 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $101,628 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Carleton shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $12,069 |
| $30K–$48K | $11,350 |
| $48K–$75K | $10,999 |
| $75K–$110K | $17,900 |
| Over $110K | $41,028 |
About 64% of Carleton undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $52,568 per year. Get more details on the Carleton financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the Carleton net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.