Carleton College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Carleton College charges a net price of $25,407/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $101,628. Graduates earn a median $75,525 ten years after entry, $27,165/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.7 years — a 20-year net return of $441,672, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Carleton College's 3.7-year payback ranks #249 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 81% of them, and #4 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,407/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $101,628 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $75,525 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $27,165/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $16,750 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $441,672 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Carleton College's own numbers. Net price $25,407 × 4 years = $101,628 total. Median earnings $75,525 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $27,165 a year of premium. $101,628 ÷ $27,165 = 3.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $441,672. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Carleton College students graduate with?
A median $16,750 in federal loans among completers, or 22% of the $75,525 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Carleton College students graduate?
90% finish their degree. Spread the $101,628 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $112,920 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Carleton College expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $25,407 net price runs $8,587 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $34,346 more across the full degree.