Carleton is a top-ranked liberal arts college where our professors are consistently named the best in the nation. A fully residential college of about 2,000 students, Carleton is located in Northfield, Minnesota. Just 45 minutes south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, it's often recognized as one of the best college towns in the country! Made up of a collaborative community where students and faculty work closely together, Carleton's small class sizes and top-ranked professors create a rigorous yet highly supportive academic environment. The College offers 33 majors and 39 minors in addition to other areas of study, so you'll have plenty to explore before declaring your major at the end of your sophomore year. With our trimester system, students at Carleton cover a full semester's worth of material in a 10-week period, three times per year, allowing for a fast-paced yet in-depth academic experience (as well as a full six weeks of winter break). Constantly curious, Carleton students take their work seriously without taking themselves too seriously, and they're always down to help each other out. Outside of the classroom, Carleton students are active in over 200 student-led organizations on campus. Carls also have fun regardless of the season (or the weather), from our annual fall Frisbee toss during New Student Week, to winter games of broomball on the Bald Spot ice rinks, to Spring Concert at the end of the academic year. They also love to explore Carleton's expansive Arboretum, which boasts 15 miles of trails across 800 acres of land (almost the size of NYC's Central Park!) and is used for recreation, classes, and research. Nearly 70% of students study abroad during their time at Carleton, 77% participate in community or civic engagement, and another 77% are engaged in research outside of their courses. Carleton grads go on to success across sectors, whether they become astrophysicists photographing black holes, ecology researchers tracking bird migration, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial writers, developers at Google, doctors providing care to communities most in need, or Academy Award-winning film directors. You'll find Carleton alumni serving in the Peace Corps, leading Fortune 500 companies, and pursuing many different types of graduate school. During their four years on campus, Carleton students get a world-class education, discover their passions, and make lifelong friends!
