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Introduce Yourself
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Cost & Financial Aid
We do everything in our power to make sure students from all socioeconomic backgrounds can come to Carleton — because we believe every admitted student should be able to. We welcome the most curious and collaborative students of all backgrounds and identities, invest in their success, and help them launch meaningful careers.
We do everything in our power to make sure students from all socioeconomic backgrounds can come to Carleton — because we believe every admitted student should be able to. We welcome the most curious and collaborative students of all backgrounds and identities, invest in their success, and help them launch meaningful careers.
Carleton is more affordable than you might think.
Yes, you can go to a top-ranked school like Carleton, get an exceptional education, graduate without debt, and make a profound impact on the world. We meet the full demonstrated need of every student, without loans. When you apply, we determine what your family can reasonably pay, and we use a combination of grants, scholarships, and student employment to cover what’s left.
Our Middle-Income Investment
Carleton’s reputation as a national leader for enrolling and supporting middle-income students speaks for itself: for more than a decade, one-third of every incoming class has come from middle-income households. At Carleton, the middle isn’t being squeezed out of an elite education — with financial aid that’s made up of grants instead of loans, we make sure college is entirely within reach.
$100M to Support Low-Income Families, Forever
At Carleton, excellence and access are the same commitment — that’s why we’ve always provided generous financial aid to low-income families. Now we’ve made our impact even bigger, adding $100M to our endowment to fully support low-income students in every class, every year, forever.
How much does Carleton cost?
Not as much as you might think. The best way to get a true idea of your expected cost is to use one of our financial aid estimators. Simply input your financial information, and you’ll get an estimate of what to expect.
$21,763
Average cost a family on financial aid paid in 2025–26
$71,866
Average need-based financial aid package in 2025–26
$94,980
The 2026–27 comprehensive fee, including tuition, housing, food, and an activity fee
Types of Aid
Financial aid can be confusing. There are so many factors that go into it, and every school handles it differently. Our financial aid packages are simple and typically made up of two types of aid.
Grants & Scholarships
These make up the majority of financial aid packages — and they never need to be repaid.
Student Employment
Earn extra money and gain valuable work experience under the mentorship of staff and faculty supervisors.
Key Numbers
57%
of Carleton students receive need-based financial aid
80%
of students have a campus job
$5,350
Students can receive up to $5,350 annually to fund an internship or research opportunity
Support for your whole college experience.
At Carleton, paying for college is straightforward. From tuition and textbooks, to housing, dining, activities, and off-campus studies, our financial aid meets 100% of your demonstrated need and allows you to experience everything Carleton has to offer, without loans.
Explore our no-loan financial aid program
Your financial aid travels with you.
Nearly 70% of Carls study off campus, and their financial aid travels with them for all Carleton-led programs and their first non-Carleton-sponsored program.