Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs Carleton College
Nestled in the heart of New England, Wheaton College and Carleton College stand out as two beacons of academic excellence. While both institutions share a commitment to liberal arts education, they offer distinct experiences that cater to different student aspirations. Wheaton College, located in Norton, Massachusetts, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. Carleton College, situated in Northfield, Minnesota, attracts a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences, ensuring a fulfilling and transformative undergraduate journey.
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![]() Carleton College |
![]() Wheaton College (Massachusetts) |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Norton, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
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% | 84.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.5% | 82.1% |
Application fees | $60 | |
SAT range | 1408 - 1550 | 1160 - 1360 |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | 28 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 21.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | 4.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,915 | 3,724 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,389 | 3,056 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 555 | 493 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 16.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | 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 | $74,850 |
Average net price | $31,718 | $28,867 |
Tuition | $59,850 | $57,700 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,115
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$7,850
Meal plan:
$6,820
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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 $41,156 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $3,914 |
58.0%
Average amount $5,078 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,334 |
14.0%
Average amount $15,391 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,044
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
1,701
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 81.5% | N/A |
International students | 10.2% | 5.0% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,854 | 1,768 |
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 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.4% | 72.9% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 11.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 15.1% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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