North Central vs Carleton College
North Central College and Carleton College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. North Central, located in Naperville, Illinois, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. Carleton, nestled in Northfield, Minnesota, stands out for its rigorous academic reputation and selective admissions process. While North Central's student body is predominantly composed of Illinois residents, Carleton attracts a diverse population from across the nation and the world. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.
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![]() Carleton College |
![]() North Central College |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Naperville, Illinois |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Trimester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.5% | 68.4% |
Application fees | $25 | |
SAT range | 1408 - 1550 | 1030 - 1230 |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | 17.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,915 | 4,551 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,389 | 3,113 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 555 | 512 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 16.4% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,315 | $61,098 |
Average net price | $31,718 | $26,207 |
Tuition | $59,850 | $42,026 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,115
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$7,998
Meal plan:
$3,890
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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 |
100.0%
Average amount $28,670 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $3,914 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,156 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,334 |
25.0%
Average amount $6,992 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,044
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
2,404
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
Graduate students | N/A |
324
Men 29.3% Women 70.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 81.5% | 26.8% |
International students | 10.2% | 3.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,854 | 1,333 |
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 | Illinois Wisconsin Indiana Ohio Michigan |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.4% | 64.4% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 35.1% |
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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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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