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Northfield, MNTest-optional~22% admit rate

Carleton CollegeSAT & ACT Scores

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1460–1530 on the SAT and 32–35 on the ACT.

Admitted-student score ranges

Each bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students. Aim for the upper end to be comfortably competitive.

SAT total1460 – 1530
40080012001600

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1460 and 1530 on the SAT total.

ACT composite32 – 35
1122436

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 32 and 35 on the ACT composite.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT total14601530
ACT composite3235

What the “middle 50%” actually means

These are not cutoffs. The 25th percentile (1460 SAT / 32 ACT) means a quarter of admitted students scored at or below it, and the 75th percentile (1530 SAT / 35 ACT) means a quarter scored at or above it. Half of admitted students land inside the range — and students are admitted both below and above it every year, because scores are only one part of the application.

Carleton College is test-optional

Carleton College does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1460 SAT / 32 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers about SAT and ACT scores for Carleton College, from the data above.

What SAT score do I need for Carleton College?+
There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled Carleton College students scored between 1460 and 1530 on the SAT, so a competitive target is around 1530 (the 75th percentile). A score near 1500 would sit close to the middle of admitted students.
Is a 1460 SAT good enough for Carleton College?+
A 1460 sits at roughly the 25th percentile — about a quarter of enrolled students scored at or below it, so it is within range but on the lower end. Admitted students at that level typically stand out in other ways (grades, rigor, essays, activities). Aiming closer to 1530 gives you more margin.
What ACT score do I need for Carleton College?+
The middle 50% of recently enrolled students scored 32–35 on the ACT. A composite around 35 would place you near the top of that range; 32 is roughly the 25th percentile.
Is Carleton College test-optional or test-required?+
Carleton College does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1460 SAT / 32 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Know your score before you apply

See where you stand against Carleton College's ranges today, then build a plan to close the gap. The full-length adaptive diagnostic is free — no account needed to start.

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Score ranges describe the middle 50% of Carleton College’s admitted students (Fall 2024 entering class (CDS 2024–2025)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. Carleton is test-optional; scores are considered only if submitted. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with Carleton College’s admissions office.

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