Carleton College SAT and ACT scores
Northfield, MN · private college · 2,069 undergraduates. These are the scores of first-year students who sent them; the college is test-optional, so students with lower scores often don't send them.
Updated October 29, 2026 · College Scorecard data release 06/10/2026
Test policy and the CLT
- SAT and ACT: Test-optional (considered, not required), as Carleton College reports it to the federal government. Check the college's admissions site for this year's rule.
- CLT: Not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Type a score to see how it compares with the middle 50% here.
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Questions people ask
What SAT score do you need for Carleton College?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent SAT scores to Carleton College scored 1450 to 1560, with an average of 1517. A score at or above 1510 puts you in the upper half of that range. Scores below the range don't rule you out, but they make the rest of the application matter more.
What ACT score do you need for Carleton College?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent ACT scores scored 32 to 34. A 34 or higher puts you in the top quarter of students who sent ACT scores.
Does Carleton College require the SAT or ACT?
Carleton College reports its test policy to the federal government as "Considered but not required". Policies change from year to year, so confirm on the college's admissions website before you apply.
Does Carleton College accept the CLT?
Carleton College is not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026. Ask its admissions office before sending CLT scores.
Colleges in Minnesota with similar scores
- Macalester CollegeSAT 1350–1510
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesSAT 1300–1500
- St Olaf CollegeSAT 1300–1470
- University of St ThomasSAT 1260–1423
- University of Minnesota-DuluthSAT 1180–1350
Colleges elsewhere with similar scores
- Colby CollegeSAT 1460–1550
- Haverford CollegeSAT 1460–1550
- University of Notre DameSAT 1455–1560
- Bowdoin CollegeSAT 1470–1550
- Emory UniversitySAT 1470–1550
- Emory University-Oxford CollegeSAT 1470–1550
More about Carleton College
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: Carleton College (data release 06/10/2026; scores and test policy as reported by the college to IPEDS)
- Classic Learning Test, colleges that accept the CLT, read October 29, 2026
- CLT and SAT concordance and CLT and ACT concordance, read October 29, 2026