CollegeCalcAI
Highly selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

Carleton College acceptance rate and admissions profile

Carleton College is a private university in Minnesota with a 16% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Minnesota schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
16%
Highly selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1510
of admitted students
Type
Private
Minnesota
Selectivity in state
#1
of 23 in MN
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What Carleton College looks for

What Carleton College weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Carleton College

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Carleton College
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500In the competitive admitted range
1400Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How Carleton College compares in Minnesota

Carleton College ranks #1 most selective of 23 schools in Minnesota in our database.

Macalester College
28%acceptance · MN
St. Olaf College
50%acceptance · MN
Crown College
55%acceptance · MN
North Central University
62%acceptance · MN
Gustavus Adolphus College
63%acceptance · MN
Augsburg University
65%acceptance · MN
Bethel University (MN)
65%acceptance · MN
Hamline University
65%acceptance · MN
See all Minnesota schools →

Similar to Carleton College

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Boston College
15%acceptance · MA
Colgate University
15%acceptance · NY
Davidson College
17%acceptance · NC
Middlebury College
15%acceptance · VT
Vassar College
15%acceptance · NY
Washington and Lee University
17%acceptance · VA

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Carleton College?

Carleton College has a 16% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective — it turns away most applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for Carleton College?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1510. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does Carleton College value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Carleton College weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into Carleton College?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for Carleton College in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full Carleton College chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.