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Affording Carleton

At Carleton, we’re committed to making our education affordable to all admitted students — not just those whose families can pay the full cost. We meet the full need of all admitted students. And we keep loans small and work-study manageable. This lets you focus on what matters: getting a top-notch education.

At Carleton, we’re committed to making our education affordable to all admitted students — not just those whose families can pay the full cost. We meet the full need of all admitted students. And we keep loans small and work-study manageable. This lets you focus on what matters: getting a top-notch education.

Within Reach

We work with families to offer financial aid that keeps your student debt low. Our generous financial aid awards put Carleton within reach.

Try a Financial Aid Estimator

How to Apply for Aid

Once you’ve applied for admission, you’ll also need to apply for financial aid. Student Financial Aid will walk you through the process.

Learn More About Aid

Here to Help

Our team in the Student Financial Aid office is dedicated to helping you with financial aid. We’re here to help for all four years.

Meet Student Financial Aid

Our Financial Aid Program

Your college search won’t be complete until you consider how to afford your top choice schools.  We use financial aid to support students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. This includes our lowest income students as well as those in the middle income ranges.

Award Financial Aid

For first-year students who started at Carleton in 2023, the average financial aid award was $66,566. 55% received aid.

Eliminate Obstacles

We charge no application fee for students who apply for admission.

Maximize Our Dollars

To ensure we can fund generous financial aid packages, we do not offer merit scholarships.

Reduce Your Expenses

Our total comprehensive fee covers most student expenses. The only exceptions are books and supplies, personal spending money, and travel. There are no extra fees for labs, field trips, student publications, or college events.

Maintain Transparency

Here are the costs for the 2022-23 school year:
Tuition: $65,043
Housing: $8,820
Food: $7,890
Student Activity Fee: $414
Comprehensive Fee: $82,167

Family IncomeAverage Financial
Aid Award
Average Net Cost
Less than $40,000$81,150$1,164
$40,000–$80,000$79,865$4,173
$80,000–$120,000$71,596$12,453
$120,000–$160,000$63,028$22,917
$160,000–$200,000$52,900$31,784

The Fritch and Strong Scholarships

Carleton supports middle-income students with the Fritch and Strong Scholarships.

If you live in a town, city, or metro area with fewer than 200,000 people, you may qualify for the Fritch Scholarship. Students from larger urban areas can qualify for the Strong Scholarship.

These awards replace student loans and cover some books and other academic expenses. They total $40,000 per student ($10,000 per year).

Carleton awards the Fritch and Strong Scholarships each school year on a competitive basis. Students can renew them for three more years after their first year at Carleton.

Learn more about the Fritch and Strong Scholarships.