Carleton at a Glance

Quick Facts

• Founded: 1866
• Location: Northfield, Minn., 40 miles south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul
• Enrollment: 2,086 students from 50 states and 57 countries
• Geographic distribution of student body: Midwest 36.7% • West 21.7% • East 17.3 % • South 10.9% • International 11.8% • Other 1.6%
• Demographics: 50% female • 50% male • 34% identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (U.S. citizens only)
• Calendar: Trimester (three ten-week terms)
• Areas of study: More than 1,000 courses in 33 majors and 39 minors
• Degree awarded: Bachelor of Arts
• Student/faculty ratio: 8:1
• Faculty: 245 full-time; 92% hold the highest degree in their field
• Average class size: 16
• Campus: 1,040 acres including an 880-acre arboretum
• Off-Campus: 62% study off-campus, both domestically and internationally
• Financial Aid: 100% of demonstrated financial need is met for all students
• Religious affiliation: None
• Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1913

Highlights from the Class of 2029

• 7,449 applicants, 518 enrolled
• From 44 states, 422 schools, and 17 countries
• 32% Black, Indigenous, People of Color
• 13% are among the first generation of their families to attend college

Carleton Alumni

• Carleton ranks first among baccalaureate colleges in the number of alumni who have gone on to earn academic doctorates (since 2007).
• 62% of alumni go on to attend graduate or professional school within 8 years of graduation, and 19% of alumni are enrolled in a graduate program within 6 months of graduation.
• In 2024–25, the Alumni Annual Fund raised over $11.2 million for Carleton, which represents contributions from 10,500+ donors.

Carleton alumni go on to work in a variety of fields and industries. Here is a sampling of the most common employment for graduates since 1990:

• 20% Business/Finance/Sales
• 13% Education
• 11% Healthcare
• 9% Science/Lab Research
• 8% Information Systems/Technology/Library
• 7% Legal Professions
• 5% Arts/Museums
• 4% Communications/Media
• 4% Social Service/Advocacy
• 3% Environment/Agriculture
• 2% Government/Public Service

Rankings