Carleton College vs Hillsdale College

Carleton College is the more selective of the two at 20%, versus 21% at Hillsdale College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Carleton College
Highly selective
20%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1510
Private · Minnesota
Hillsdale College
Highly selective
21%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1400
Private · Michigan

Carleton College vs Hillsdale College: the differences that matter

How Carleton College and Hillsdale College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Carleton College and Hillsdale College are almost equally selective (20% vs 21%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Carleton College leans more on standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent / ability, while Hillsdale College puts more weight on alumni / legacy relation, volunteer work. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Carleton College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1510 and Hillsdale College's is around 1400. Admitted students at Carleton College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorCarleton CollegeHillsdale College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantconsidered
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantimportant
Talent / abilityvery importantimportant
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Carleton College or Hillsdale College harder to get into?

Carleton College is harder to get into, with a 20% acceptance rate versus 21% at Hillsdale College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Carleton College and Hillsdale College?

Carleton College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1510, and Hillsdale College's is around 1400.

What are my chances at Carleton College and Hillsdale College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.