Hope College vs Carleton College
Hope College and Carleton College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Hope College, nestled in Holland, Michigan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (68%) compared to Carleton College's selective admissions (23%). While Hope College's student body is predominantly White (78%), Carleton College fosters a more diverse community, with 48% students of color. Both colleges excel in academics, with Hope College's popular majors including Business, Health Professions, and Education, while Carleton College emphasizes majors in Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities. Discover more key differences in the comprehensive comparison table below, and make an informed decision about the college that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Carleton College |
![]() Hope College |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Holland, Michigan |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Trimester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.5% | 92.4% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1408 - 1550 | 1100 - 1330 |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | 24 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 45.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,915 | 4,172 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,389 | 3,854 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 555 | 793 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 20.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,315 | $46,800 |
Average net price | $31,718 | $28,688 |
Tuition | $59,850 | $36,300 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,115
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$5,020
Meal plan:
$6,380
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
65.0%
Average amount $45,715 |
98.0%
Average amount $21,987 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $3,914 |
48.0%
Average amount $5,148 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,334 |
8.0%
Average amount $15,533 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,044
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
3,132
Men 38.5% Women 61.5% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 81.5% | N/A |
International students | 10.2% | 2.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,854 | 2,472 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota California Illinois New York Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.4% | 80.6% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 19.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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