Carleton College vs Vassar College

Vassar College is the more selective of the two at 19%, versus 20% at Carleton 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
Vassar College
Highly selective
19%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1490
Private · New York

Carleton College vs Vassar College: the differences that matter

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

Carleton College and Vassar College are almost equally selective (20% vs 19%), 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 level of applicant interest, while Vassar College puts more weight on alumni / legacy relation. 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 Vassar College's is around 1490. 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 CollegeVassar College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantvery important
Talent / abilityvery importantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Carleton College or Vassar College harder to get into?

Vassar College is harder to get into, with a 19% acceptance rate versus 20% at Carleton College.

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

Carleton College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1510, and Vassar College's is around 1490.

What are my chances at Carleton College and Vassar College?

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