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.
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.
Below you will find scholarships related to Carleton College. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Based on 25 reviews
Overall, my experience has been very positive. The courses are engaging and encourage critical thinking, especially in programs like Human Rights and Social Justice. Professors are generally supportive and approachable, and there are many opportunities to get involved in student life and community initiatives. One thing I appreciate is the diversity on campus, which creates a more inclusive and open learning environment. There are also many resources available for students, both academically and socially. One downside is that some administrative processes can be slow or unclear at times, which can be frustrating when trying to get quick answers. Overall, I would recommend this university, especially for students who are interested in social sciences and want to be part of an engaged and active student community.
I genuinely have loved every year of my degree in Aerospace Engineering at Carleton. The engineering community is the biggest standout for me; the assorted academic and social societies are filled with the kindest and friendliest people that cheer you on and want to see you succeed. When I started in first year, it was an amazing asset to attend meetings and be able to ask upper year students questions about coursework or the student governance. Additionally, the professors are extremely involved in the success of the students and are proactive in asking for and implementing feedback to improve the student experience. Many of the professors even go as far as to work with the governing student societies to ask for help in better serving the general student population. Furthermore, the societies and design teams are very good ways of boosting resume experience that employers are looking for. The school and faculty are all very well connected to the local engineering and technology industries in Ottawa and make for great connections, references when applying for internships or entry level jobs post-grad. Unfortunately, the school administration as a whole has been having some budgeting issues which ends up being reflected in the quality of the teaching assistant support and the labs. Some of the labs are pretty outdated and have to recycle data so that everyone can participate and get somewhat of a lab experience. With the TAs being underpaid and having less hours, sometimes receiving quality feedback on projects and assignments can be hard. Overall the school has been a wonderful experience and the friendships and professional connections I've made will stick with me for many years!
Carleton University's Sociology doctoral program has excellent faculty and professors who are genuinely invested in students� learning and success. They are approachable, thoughtful, and willing to provide guidance and feedback, which makes navigating complex courses much easier. I�ve always felt supported both academically and professionally, and the professors create an environment where questions and discussion are encouraged. On the other hand, there are some practical challenges. Parking on campus can be frustrating, especially during peak hours, and finding convenient spots can be difficult to find. Food options on campus are also limited at certain times, so planning ahead is sometimes necessary. Despite these minor inconveniences, I would still recommend Carleton for anyone looking for a strong academic program with professors who truly care about their students.
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