History
Carleton is the fourth oldest private institution of higher education in Minnesota. Carleton was founded on October 12, 1866, by the General Conference of the Congregational Churches of Minnesota, which — after considering locations in Zumbrota, Mantorville, Cottage Grove, and Lake City — chose Northfield for the home of its new college.
Education
The mission of Carleton College is to provide an exceptional undergraduate liberal arts education. In pursuit of this mission, the College is devoted to academic excellence, distinguished by the creative interplay of teaching, learning, and scholarship, and dedicated to our diverse residential community and extensive international engagements.
Carleton College Key Statistics & Highlights
- 313 Scholarships
- 207 Academic Staff
- 2,046 Students
- 233 Students (int'l)
- 1,047 Students (female)
Carleton College Overview
Carleton College Scholarships
Carleton College Scholarships
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Carleton College Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 20 reviews
- 5 Star 7 Reviews
- 4 Star 13 Reviews
- 3 Star 0 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.3
- Student Diversity 4.6
- Quality of Student Life 4.2
- Career Development 4.2
A Challenging but Eye-Opening Experience
The Economics program at Carleton University has been both challenging and rewarding. While it wasn�t always easy, the experience taught me discipline, time management, and how to think critically under pressure. Some courses were intense, but they gave me a better understanding of the real-world economy. I appreciated the diversity of students, the range of extracurriculars, and the support systems available on campus. There are lots of events throughout the year to help you discover this big campus and get to know people. My experience here helped me grow professionally and personally, and I would recommend this university to students who are serious about pushing themselves and gaining solid academic grounding.
Pretty Good
pretty good school, really love the campus since there are tunnels underground connecting all the buildings so during brutal Canadians winters its really convenient. Profs can be hard to understand due to language barriers and often they just read from the slides without really teaching but there is a lot of really great helpful profs and ta's too who carried me.
Supportive Environment and Well-Rounded Curriculum
As a student in the Law and Psychology program at Carleton University, I�ve had an incredibly enriching academic experience so far. The professors are approachable and genuinely invested in student success, often integrating real-world examples into lectures, which keeps the learning both practical and engaging. What truly stands out is the balance between theoretical foundations and opportunities to apply knowledge through case studies, group projects, and interactive discussions. The university also offers numerous student-led initiatives, wellness programs, and support services that contribute to a positive and inclusive campus atmosphere. Whether you're looking to explore career paths in law, mental health, or public policy, this program equips you with the analytical skills and social awareness necessary for the real world. I would definitely recommend it to anyone seeking a well-rounded education with plenty of room for personal and academic growth.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?
Housing services
90% of Carleton students (those who aren’t in an Off Campus Studies program, that is) live in college housing. And whether it's in a residence hall, a shared interest house, or one of the coveted campus townhouses, Carls pack a lot of life into their residential life!
Most of Carleton's students — and all first-year students — live in one of the College's residence halls (dorms). Most floors have a diverse mix of people from all four classes, and Resident Assistants (RAs) are there to coordinate floor and hall activities and other social and educational events. All residence halls have lounges, TVs and laundry facilities. All campus buildings are smoke-free and most halls have substance-free floors.
Library services
The Laurence McKinley Gould Library is an active participant in the college’s mission to provide an exceptional undergraduate liberal arts education. In support of Carleton’s curriculum, we build collaborative partnerships that enrich the intellectual climate of the campus.
ICT services
The computers behind the Research/IT Desk are always logged in and ready to go. Look up books and send files to the printer without waiting for a computer to turn on.Every lab computer can boot up as either a Mac or a Windows computer. Each computer is loaded with a full suite of software for Mac and Windows.
Medical services
Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) SHAC recognizes the challenges in navigating and accessing trans healthcare. The clinicians at SHAC are available to discuss any questions or concerns and help connect you with the best care to address what you need.
Campus life
The college campus was created in 1867 with the gifts of two 10-acre (4 ha) parcels from local businessmen Charles M. Goodsell and Charles Augustus Wheaton. The school campus is on a hill overlooking the Cannon River, at the northeast edge of Northfield. To the north and east is the 880-acre Cowling Arboretum, which was farm fields in the early years of the college. The area beyond the Arboretum is still largely devoted to agriculture.
Sports facilities
Set into a grassy hillside, Cowling Gymnasium includes practice areas for volleyball and basketball, an indoor tennis practice court, a dance studio, a sauna and a 25-yard pool.
Student clubs
Carleton has more than 200 student-run organizations that cover everything from arts to athletics to activism. So you’re bound to find plenty of things that pique your interest. You’ll try new things, make new friends, and take your passions to the next level. And if you can’t find your perfect activity within those hundreds of options, you're welcome to invent your own!
Accreditation
Carleton College has been accredited continuously since 1913.
Carleton’s regional agency is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which accredits degree granting institutions of higher education that are based in the 19-state North Central region of the U.S. Institutions that the HLC accredits are evaluated against the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation, a set of standards that institutions must meet to receive and/or maintain accredited status. Carleton’s next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2028-29.