Hamilton College vs Carleton College
Hamilton College and Carleton College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Hamilton, located in Clinton, New York, boasts a slightly larger student body and a lower acceptance rate compared to Carleton in Northfield, Minnesota. While Hamilton students pursue popular majors in economics, government, and English, Carleton students often gravitate towards majors in biology, economics, and political science. Both colleges foster diverse student bodies, with Carleton having a slightly higher percentage of international students. When it comes to graduation rates, Hamilton and Carleton share a strong commitment to student success, consistently achieving high rates of degree completion. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these exceptional colleges and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Carleton College |
![]() Hamilton College |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Clinton, New York |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Midsize |
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% | 94.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.5% | 14.1% |
Application fees | $60 | |
SAT range | 1408 - 1550 | 1410 - 1540 |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 32.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | 20.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,915 | 9,380 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,389 | 1,320 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 555 | 533 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 40.4% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,315 | $76,700 |
Average net price | $31,718 | $26,803 |
Tuition | $59,850 | $59,380 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,115
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$8,320
Meal plan:
$6,910
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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 |
55.0%
Average amount $47,867 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $3,914 |
35.0%
Average amount $4,331 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,334 |
4.0%
Average amount $25,195 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,044
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
2,055
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
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% | 6.8% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,854 | 2,057 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
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 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.4% | 91.5% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 0.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 6.8% |
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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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
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