Overview of Carleton College
Carleton College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, is a private liberal arts college known for its rigorous academic programs, commitment to intellectual exploration, and vibrant community. Founded in 1866, Carleton is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and a broad-based understanding of the world.
Academic Excellence: Carleton College is renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to the liberal arts. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and the arts. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education, fostering intellectual curiosity, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives.
The academic structure at Carleton operates on a trimester system, allowing students to immerse themselves in fewer courses at a time and engage more deeply with each subject. This approach encourages in-depth exploration, collaboration, and meaningful interactions with faculty members.
Close-Knit Community: One of Carleton’s distinguishing features is its tight-knit and collaborative community. With a relatively small student body, Carleton fosters an environment where students and faculty can form close relationships. The low student-to-faculty ratio contributes to personalized attention, mentorship opportunities, and a strong sense of camaraderie among students.
Liberal Arts Education: Carleton College is committed to the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing the development of a broad range of skills and knowledge. The liberal arts education at Carleton encourages students to explore various disciplines, helping them connect ideas across different fields of study. This interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to adapt to a rapidly changing world and to think critically about complex issues.
Experiential Learning: Carleton places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, providing students with opportunities to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings. The college offers internships, research opportunities, and off-campus study programs to enrich students’ academic experiences and help them gain practical skills relevant to their chosen fields.
Global Engagement: Carleton College encourages global engagement and provides numerous opportunities for students to study abroad. The Off-Campus Studies program allows students to immerse themselves in different cultures, languages, and academic settings. This international exposure enhances students’ understanding of global issues and prepares them to be effective global citizens.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Carleton is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. The college actively works to create an environment where students from various backgrounds feel welcomed and supported. Initiatives, programs, and resources are in place to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus.
Research Opportunities: Carleton College emphasizes undergraduate research, providing students with the chance to collaborate with faculty members on meaningful research projects. The close relationship between students and professors facilitates mentorship in research, allowing students to delve deep into their academic interests and contribute to scholarly pursuits.
Arts and Culture: The arts play a significant role at Carleton, with programs in visual arts, music, theater, and dance. The college supports a vibrant arts community, and students have opportunities to engage in artistic expression through performances, exhibitions, and collaborative projects.
Athletics: Carleton College competes in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). The Knights, Carleton’s athletic teams, participate in a range of sports, including soccer, basketball, cross country, and track and field. Athletics at Carleton contribute to school spirit and provide students with opportunities for teamwork and physical fitness.
Sustainability Initiatives: Carleton is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The college has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, promote sustainability education, and engage the campus community in environmentally responsible practices.
Alumni Success: Carleton College has a distinguished alumni network with graduates making significant contributions in various fields. Carleton alumni have excelled in academia, business, the arts, public service, and more. The college’s commitment to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of responsibility is reflected in the accomplishments of its alumni.
Carleton College stands as a respected institution that values academic excellence, a close-knit community, and a commitment to the liberal arts. The college’s emphasis on experiential learning, global engagement, and a diverse and inclusive campus culture contributes to a transformative educational experience for its students. Carleton’s legacy is built on preparing graduates who are intellectually curious, socially conscious, and well-equipped for the challenges of the future.
1 N. College Street Northfield, MN 55057
Phone: (507) 222-4190
Email: admissions@carleton.edu
Web site: http://www.carleton.edu
Rankings: Carleton College
Located in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is one of the best universities in the state of Minnesota. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for Carleton College in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is Carleton College.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Overall Ranking: | 8 |
| Score: | 88 |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | 4.2 |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | 9 |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 96.5% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 93.0% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | 91% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | 2 |
| Faculty resources ranking: | 12 |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 65.8% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 0.3% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 9:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 97.4% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | 12 |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 1310-1490 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | 74% |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | 96% |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 27.5% |
| Financial resources rank: | 24 |
| Alumni giving rank: | 1 |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 63.3% |
Essential Facts: Carleton College
- Carleton is a great liberal arts school with professors that care about the students as well as students that care about the students.
- Carleton is one of the few liberal arts colleges that runs on the trimester system.
- At Carleton College, the disparity between men and women on campus is far lower than the national average. The undergraduate student body at Carleton is equally balanced.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 90% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | 0% |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | 0% |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 97% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | No |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 18% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | Yes |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance policies set by individual instructors, hazing prohibited |
| Collegiate athletic association: | NCAA III |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | campus ministries, choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/theater, international student organization, jazz band, literary magazine, model UN, music ensembles, musical theater, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student film society, symphony orchestra, yearbook |