Paying for college can be complicated. We’re here to help.
➜ Can you afford to go to college? Will you be supported on campus? How will you find a job after graduation? They’re all big questions, and we have answers.
The truth is, you can go to a top-ranked school like Carleton, get an exceptional education, graduate without tons of debt, and make a profound impact on the world.
We work hard to make Carleton affordable and accessible for every family. We’re an elite liberal arts college, but we’re not elitist. We welcome the most curious and collaborative students of all backgrounds and identities, invest in their success, and help them launch meaningful careers.
Our campus is more socioeconomically
What will you pay?
Carleton’s comprehensive fee is $86,478*—but what you actually pay could be quite different.
Here’s the important part
Because we meet your full financial need, you may end up paying less at Carleton than you would pay to attend a school with a lower comprehensive fee but lessgenerous financial aid.
Everyone’s financial situation is different, but here are examples of the average net cost for recent students who qualified for financial aid.
Quick number crunching
* Based on the 2024–2025 school year
** Based on domestic Carleton students
COMPREHENSIVE FEE: WHAT IT COSTS TO ATTEND CARLETON (TUITION, HOUSING, FOOD, AND ACTIVITY FEE)
NET COST: THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY IN ONE ACADEMIC YEAR, CALCULATED BY SUBTRACTING THE GRANTS/ SCHOLARSHIPS FROM YOUR COST OF ATTENDANCE
in 2023–2024
MEET ALEX
Alex is a first year from Minnesota. They live with two parents and have no siblings. Their family income is $60,500, they own a home, and have less than $75,000 in assets.
MEET CAMERON
Cameron is a junior from Arkansas. They live with two parents and a younger sibling. Their family income is $126,000 with $42,000 in assets.
MEET JORDAN
Jordan is a sophomore from Virginia. They live with two parents and have a sibling enrolled in college. Their family income is $290,000 with $600,000 in assets including home equity.
Support for your whole college experience
Yes, you can study abroad!
Your financial aid covers off-campus studies, and our programs carry no extra fees beyond transportation expenses.
➜ College comes with other expenses, big and small, and not all schools account for that. We’ve anticipated your other needs and have you covered, from laundry and campus events to travel costs for studying abroad and postgrad job interviews.
Free resources and generous funds are available
» Free, 24/7 telehealth to support your mental and physical health
» $$$ for internships and research opportunities
» Funding for private music lessons
» A laptop stipend program for qualifying students
» Textbook aid for qualifying students
» Free in-town shuttle to get around Northfield
» Fresh food over winter break, free through the Carleton Cupboard
» Warm clothes—like jackets, boots, hats, and gloves—donated through the Carleton Winter Wardrobe
» $300 in printing fees—completely covered
» Free events on campus nearly every day
» And, never pay for laundry!
More than just a paycheck
Eighty percent of Carleton students choose to work a campus job, including a significant number of students who don’t receive financial aid. When you work on campus, you learn new skills, connect with students and others beyond your usual mix of classes and activities, and gain hands-on experience.
What types of jobs are available to students? More than you might think!
» Lead Data Scientist
» ESL Tutor
» Social Media Manager
» Weather Station Programmer
» Writing Consultant
» Biology Greenhouse Assistant
» Arboretum Archiving Assistant
» Photographer or Videographer piano lessons each term since my freshman spring!” — FÁTIMA REYES ’25
» Dining Service Worker
We partner with local schools, governments, and nonpropfits to offer off-campus positions that count toward student employment.
Connections that help you land the job
➜ A liberal arts education is the perfect foundation for a meaningful career, and our Career Center has all the resources needed to help get you to your next destination.
Unlike other schools, Carleton students have direct access to 29,000 alumni and there is little our alumni wouldn’t do for a fellow Carl! They are eager to support, advise, and connect students to the industries, careers, and jobs they seek.
Get a step ahead with externships
Externships are unique job shadowing or projectbased work experiences where students are hosted by alumni, parents, and friends of Carleton over our six-week winter break, allowing you to explore a career field and build professional connections.
Carleton alumni who host externships often also offer to house you during that time. I was fortunate enough to get free housing and meals every day as part of my externship!”
— STELLA DENNEHY
’24
230
students completed a Carletonsponsored internship last year
194
students completed a Carletonsponsored externship last year
Invest in your future
➜ At Carleton, you’ll learn how to ask thoughtful questions, solve tough problems, and think creatively and critically. Our graduates go on to lead lives that make an impact on our world— both in the workplace and beyond. Whatever your dream career may be, a Carleton education can take you there!
Graduate with less debt
Our students graduate with an average student loan debt of $21,407—43 percent lower than the national average of $37,850.
Carleton grads six months post-grad
or traveling
CARLETON SUCCESS BY THE NUMBERS
Ready to transform your future?
You’ve taken the first steps toward learning about and receiving financial aid. Here’s what to do next:
1 Use our financial aid estimator to determine the amount of aid you could receive at go.carleton.edu/estimator. If you have questions, you can talk to our financial aid staff before you even apply.
2 Fill out an application for admission at go.carleton.edu/apply. Check the box indicating you intend to apply for financial aid.
3 Complete and submit the College Board’s CSS Profile at CSSProfile.org and use school code 6081.
4 Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov and use school code 002340*.
*The FAFSA is for U.S. residents and Permanent Residents only. International students should complete the Certification of Finances form at go.carleton.edu/global.
Financial Aid Terms
comprehensive fee
what it costs to attend Carleton (tuition, housing, food, and activity fee), not including personal costs like transportation, clothing, and books
cost of attendance (COA) total cost to attend Carleton (tuition, housing, food, and activity fee), including personal costs like transportation, clothing, and books
CSS Profile
a financial aid application that we use to calculate financial need in a holistic, equitable way
demonstrated financial need or demonstrated need
the difference between the cost of attendance and your family contribution
family contribution
what your family should expect to pay for college
FAFSA
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents)
grant
funding based on financial need that you don’t need to repay
need-based aid
funding based on financial need, rather than on merit or skills
net cost or net price
the estimated amount you can expect to pay in one academic year, calculated by subtracting the grants/scholarships from your cost of attendance
student employment
a paid position of up to 10 hours per week during the academic term
