Founded in 1866, Carleton is a private liberal arts college of about 2,000 undergraduates in the small river town of Northfield, south of Minneapolis. There are no graduate students, so professors teach every class. The year runs on three ten-week terms, which means students take three courses at a time. Next to campus is the Cowling Arboretum, several hundred acres of prairie and forest along the Cannon River.
Northfield, Minnesota, United States
Official website: carleton.edu
1866
Private liberal arts college
About 2,000 undergraduates
Three ten-week terms
$68,000 – $72,000
International students, before need-based aid
$17,000 – $20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on carleton.edu before you apply.
BA Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Economics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Mathematics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Biology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Political Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Undergraduate-only teaching, with no graduate students.
A trimester calendar of three intensive terms.
A senior capstone project, called comps, in every major.
Many graduates go on to PhDs and professional schools.
Alumni work in consulting, finance, tech and public service.
Eligible F-1 graduates can apply for OPT; STEM majors may get the extension.
Undergrad
ED Nov, RD Jan
Postgrad
No PG intake
Northfield is a small town on the Cannon River, shared with St. Olaf College across the valley. Its main street has bookshops, cafes and an old mill.
Minneapolis and St. Paul are about 45 minutes north. Winters are snowy, and most students live on campus all four years.
Form I-20 issued by Carleton College
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Early Decision I closes in mid-November and Early Decision II and Regular Decision in mid-January. International applicants follow the same dates.
Carleton admits first-year students for the fall term only, which begins in September.
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Carleton College after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Computer science, economics, mathematics, biology and political science are popular majors. Admission is highly selective and looks at grades, essays, recommendations and English scores around IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100.
Carleton meets full demonstrated need for admitted international students, but admission for those applying for aid is need-aware. It does not offer merit scholarships.
