Class of 2028 Profile
The Class in Numbers
7,869 applicants, 516 enrolled
From 44 states, 417 schools and 21 countries
33% Black, Indigenous, People of Color
12% are among the first generation of their families to attend college
61% of the students with a class rank graduated in the top 10% of their class
44% fluent in a language other than English
Three Members of the Class of 2028
These 3 highlighted students provided a glimpse into the varied talents and interests the Class of 2028 will bring to Carleton’s student body.
EMMA MORRISON
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Emma’s passion for her community is evident in her extensive volunteer work. In high school, she served as both a math tutor and a special education assistant. Beyond school, she contributes to her local library as a member of the diversity board and teaches painting at a nearby retirement community. For the past few years, she utilized her Spanish skills as an intern at a local immigration law office, where she assists clients, lawyers, and paralegals with daily tasks.
ROLAND FOSTER III
Marietta, Georgia
It’s hard to find a student group that Roland isn’t involved in. A varsity football player and wrestler, he served as a student ambassador, a member of the diversity board, and co-president of the Black Student Alliance. A talented speaker and writer, Roland is a member of the National Honor Society and has received awards from youth organizations throughout Georgia. He interned with the Atlanta Bar Association and plans to major in political science.
TIARNAN BABCOCK O’NEAL
Bainbridge, WA
A passionate statistician, Tiarnan sought to extend his enthusiasm beyond the classroom. After interning for a candidate for the Washington State House in 2018 and 2020, he combined his interests by creating his own election model in 2020. This model was so accurate that it surpassed the polling models of FiveThirtyEight. On the field, Tiarnan is a skilled frisbee player and served as the captain of his high school team. He co-founded a club team composed of Seattle’s most talented high school players, a team that went toe-to-toe against some of the best adult players in the sport.
This is Carleton
A private, residential liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota
#1 Teaching Faculty
Our students learn from the best.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Carleton professors first in the nation for their commitment to undergraduate teaching.
With our small classes and exceptional professors, Carleton offers a rigorous, yet highly supportive academic environment.
At a Glance
2,019 Students
- 50 states + 57 countries
- 10% international
- 50% female // 50% male
- 36% people of color
68% study abroad
- 96% of first-year students who entered in fall 2022 returned for their sophomore year
in the fall of 2023
33 majors, 40 minors
- 8:1 student/faculty ratio
- 16: average class size
- 3: 10-week terms
82% graduate within four years
- 95% of 2023 graduates were employed or attending graduate or professional school within six months of graduation, of those reporting
#9 Liberal Arts College
U.S. News & World Report
Global Reach
| Argentina 1 | Australia 1 | Brazil 1 | Cameroon 1 | Canada 1 |
| China 40 | Colombia 1 | Ghana 1 | Guyana 1 | India 4 |
| Japan 2 | Kenya 1 | Morocco 1 | New Zealand 1 | Pakistan 1 |
| Singapore 1 | South Korea 3 | Syria 1 | Taiwan 3 | Turkey 2 |
| United Kingdom 2 | ||||
Racial Diversity
33% Black, Indigenous, People of Color
9% report two or more races
Asian 18%
Black or African American 6%
Hispanic or Latino 9%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 1%
Fields of Study
93% A large majority of students are interested in multiple academic divisions.
Science & Math 48%
Social Science 13%
Arts & Humanities 17%
Extracurricular Activities
The Class of 2028 stayed busy in high school.
Community Service 80%
Academic Club 64%
STEM 44%
Music 40%
Visual Art 18%
Theater/Drama 4%
Dance 6%
Paying Job 56%
Research/Internship 38%
Varsity Sport Captain 29%
Eagle Scout or Gold or Silver Award in Girl Scouts 2%
Social Activism 24%
Popular Majors
60% of juniors and seniors are STEM majors.
Computer Science
Biology
Political Science/International Relations
Economics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Psychology
All About Aid
- Carleton met the full financial need of all students in the Class of 2028
- 56% of the class are receiving more than $17 million in need-based Carleton grants
- The average need-based grant is $58,152
- The average need-based financial aid award is $67,733, 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 2028 who are eligible for federal aid:
| Family Income | Average Financial Aid Award | Average Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $41,999 | $80,829 | $2,573 |
| $42,000–$104,999 | $75,426 | $7,597 |
| $105,000–$169,999 | $64,581 | $19,038 |
| $170,000–$224,999 | $52,022 | $29,975 |
| $225,000–$275,000 | $42,075 | $42,227 |
For the Class of 2024, the average student’s debt at graduation was $21,407, well below the national average of $37,850. To get an approximation of how much financial aid your family might qualify for, use one of our financial aid estimators.
Financial Snapshot
$86,478
The 2024–25 comprehensive fee, including tuition, housing, food, and an activity fee
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.
8
We limit first-year students’ jobs to 8 hours per week so they have plenty of time for academics and extracurricular activities.
0.8%
The student loan default rate among Carleton alumni is nearly zero.