Class of 2029 Profile

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The Class in Numbers

7,449 applicants, 518 enrolled, 20% rate of admission
From 44 states, 422 schools and 17countries
32% Black, Indigenous, People of Color
13% are among the first generation of their families to attend college

Fields of Study

Science & Math 62%

Social Science 18%

Arts & Humanities 12%

Undecided 8%

Pre-College Extracurriculars

78% participated in community service

67% participated in sports

67% had a paying job

64% got involved in academic clubs

59% participated in the arts

Popular Intended Majors

Biology

Economics

Computer Science

Political Science

Mathematics

Environmental Studies

Psychology

The Class of 2029 comes from 44 states (including the District of Columbia) and 17 countries.

a map showing the geographic distribution of domestic students from the class of 2029. states not included are Nevada, north Dakota, south Dakota, Louisiana, new Hampshire, and west Virginia

Global Reach

Bangladesh 1	Brazil 1	Canada 2	China 32	Denmark 1
Ghana 1	Hong Kong S.A.R. 1	India 1	Japan 1	Lebanon 1
Mongolia 1	Northern Mariana Islands 2	Pakistan 1	Singapore 1	South Africa 1
South Korea 5	United Arab Emirates 1	Vietnam 1

Student Backgrounds

32% Black, Indigenous, People of Color
7% report two or more races

19% Asian
7% Black or African American
8% Hispanic or Latine
1% American Indian/Alaska Native
or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

10% International
9% Dual Citizens
39 languages spoken

This is Carleton

A private, residential liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota

#1 Teaching Faculty

– U.S. News & World Report

It’s no secret that your professors can make or break your college experience. And with the #1-ranked faculty in the country, there’s an a-ha! moment (or three) in every Carleton classroom.

Carleton professors think, re-think, then tweak again, how best to teach a subject. We call this practice “pedagogical and curricular innovation,” and it’s what’s helped us claim the U.S. News & World Report’s #1 ranking for best professors for 15 years straight!

At a Glance

2,086 Students

50 states + 51 countries
10% international
50% female + 50% male
35% people of color
14% first generation
97% of first-year students who entered in fall 2022 returned for their sophomore year in the fall of 2023

33 majors, 39 minors

9:1 student/faculty ratio
14: average class size
3 ten-week terms
77% pursue research
62% study abroad

a student smiles and celebrates during graduation

Life after Carleton

83% graduate within four years
99% of 2024 graduates were employed, attending graduate or professional school, or participating in a fellowship or service activity within six months of graduation, of those reporting
$155,500 median mid-career salary (Payscale)
62% attend graduate or professional school within eight years of graduation
82% medical school acceptance rate
87% law school acceptance rate
Top 10 STEM PhD-producing college in the U.S. (National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics)

Math Skills Center Tutoring_Original Image_m83111

Top 10 Liberal Arts College

– U.S. News & World Report

The distinctly Carleton approach to a liberal arts education means you’ll explore a wide range of subjects to discover what you love. You’ll be backed by a tight-knit community of professors, advisors, and peers.

Whether it’s double majoring, diving into research, or studying off-campus, you’ll have the support and flexibility you need to chart your own course — the perfect fit for uncommonly curious students.

All About Aid

Carleton met the full financial need of all students in the Class of 2029
57% of the class are receiving over $18 million in need-based Carleton grants
The average need-based grant is $56,024
The average need-based financial aid award is $72,356, including grants, scholarships, work study, and loans

Generous Support Makes it Possible

Once students subtract their grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment earnings, they’re left with yearly net cost—the amount their family is expected to contribute.

Every case is different, but here are examples of average net cost for members of the Class of 2029 who are eligible for federal aid:

Family Income	Average Financial Aid Offer*	Average Contribution
Less than $41,999	$84,270	$2,299
$42,000–$104,999	$78,361	$7,551
$105,000–$169,999	$70,463	$17,368
$170,000–$224,999	$58,944	$29,360
$225,000–$275,000	$47,437	$41,646

For the Class of 2025, the average student’s debt at graduation was $21,075, well below the national average of $39,075. To get an approximation of how much financial aid your family might qualify for, use one of our financial aid estimators.

student peer leaders wave from atop the Carleton campus sign as they welcome new students to campus

Financial Snapshot

100%

We meet the full demonstrated need of every student. We don’t assume students will need to take out private loans or find outside scholarships.

$90,462

The 2025–26 comprehensive fee, including tuition, housing, food, and an activity fee

8

We limit first-year students’ jobs to 8 hours per week so they have plenty of time for academics and extracurricular activities.

0.0%

The student loan default rate among Carleton alumni is zero.