Carleton College Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 Admissions Statistics

Carleton College admitted 1,480 students out of 6,796 applicants for the Class of 2029, yielding a 21.78% acceptance rate. For the Class of 2030, Early Decision results were released in December 2025, and Regular Decision notifications went out in late March 2026. Overall Class of 2030 data will become available once the full admissions cycle wraps up.

In this blog, we walk through Carleton’s latest overall, early, regular, waitlist, and transfer acceptance rates and show how they have shifted over time.

• Carleton College Acceptance Rates
• Carleton College Early Decision Acceptance Rate
• Carleton College Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
• Carleton College Transfer Acceptance Rate
• Carleton College Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Carleton College Acceptance Rates

Carleton College’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 rose to 21.78%, from 20.41% for the Class of 2028. The uptick reflects a drop in total applications from 7,133 to 6,796, while the number of admitted students remained relatively stable at around 1,480.

Over the past decade, Carleton College’s overall acceptance rate has trended downward from above 21% in 2021, dipping as low as 16.63% for the Class of 2026 before partially recovering in recent cycles. Here is the full picture:

Note: Data compiled from Carleton College’s Common Data Set.

Applications peaked at 8,583 for the Class of 2026, pushing the acceptance rate to a record low of 16.63%. As application volumes eased in more recent cycles, the rate has climbed back toward the low-to-mid 20s. The number of admitted students has stayed relatively steady, ranging from 1,378 to 1,480 across all years shown.

Carleton College Early Decision Acceptance Rate

The most recent available early figures come from the Class of 2029, when Carleton received 760 early applications and admitted 263 students, for an early decision acceptance rate of 34.61%. That rate is notably higher than the overall and Regular Decision rates, reflecting both the statistical advantage of applying early and the strength of the early applicant pool.

Carleton Early Decision acceptance rate trends

Early Decision acceptance rates at Carleton have fluctuated considerably, ranging from a high of 59.79% for the Class of 2024 to a low of 22.15% for the Class of 2025. Here is the breakdown:

Note: Data sourced from Carleton College’s official admissions announcements and Common Data Set.

The wide swings in the early rate correspond largely to changes in application volume. When ED applications spiked to 1,161 for the Class of 2026, the rate dropped sharply to 22.91%. When ED volume was lower, as with the 388 applications for the Class of 2024, the rate climbed to 59.79%. Even so, ED applicants have consistently outperformed RD applicants in acceptance rate across every class shown.

Carleton College Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

The Class of 2029 provides the latest Regular Decision data: 6,036 RD applications yielded 1,217 acceptances for a 20.16% acceptance rate, up from 18.74% for the Class of 2028.

Carleton Regular Decision acceptance rate trends

Regular Decision acceptance rates at Carleton have consistently tracked lower than the early round, hovering between 15% and 21% over the past decade. Here is how the figures have evolved:

Note: RD figures are derived by subtracting Early Decision data from overall totals in Carleton’s Common Data Set.

RD applications peaked at 7,422 for the Class of 2026 and pushed the RD rate to its lowest point of 15.64%. As application volumes have moderated, the RD rate has rebounded to just above 20% for the Class of 2029. The number of RD admits has remained relatively stable, ranging from 1,151 to 1,228 across all years shown.

Carleton College Transfer Acceptance Rate

The most recent available transfer data comes from Fall 2025, when Carleton received 132 applications and admitted 28 students. Here is the breakdown:

Note: Fall 2025 transfer data is from Carleton College’s most recent CDS admissions reporting.

Carleton College’s transfer acceptance rate of 21.21% is notably higher than transfer rates at many peer liberal arts colleges, though the applicant pool is considerably smaller than the first-year pool. For context, this is nearly identical to the 21.78% overall first-year acceptance rate for the Class of 2029, making transfer admissions at Carleton comparably competitive to first-year admissions.

Carleton College Waitlist Acceptance Rate

The most recent waitlist data comes from the Class of 2029, when Carleton admitted 33 students from the waitlist. Here is the breakdown:

Note: Waitlist statistics are sourced from Carleton College’s Common Data Set (CDS).

The number of students Carleton admits from the waitlist can swing dramatically from one year to the next. For the Class of 2023, zero waitlisted students were admitted, and for the Class of 2025, only 11 made it through despite hundreds confirming their spot. On the other end, the Class of 2024 saw 76 waitlist admits. This kind of year-to-year volatility reflects how heavily waitlist outcomes depend on enrollment yield, something entirely outside your control

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Carleton College’s current acceptance rate?

The most recent confirmed Carleton College’s acceptance rate is 21.78% for the Class of 2029. Carleton received 6,796 applications and admitted 1,480 students. Class of 2030 data will be available after the full admissions cycle concludes.

2. Is it easier to get into Carleton through Early Decision or Regular Decision?

Historically, Early Decision applicants have fared significantly better than Regular Decision applicants. For the Class of 2029, the ED rate was 34.61% compared to 20.16% for RD. That said, ED applicants also tend to be among the most prepared and committed candidates in the pool. Applying ED signals demonstrated interest and can work in your favor if Carleton is your clear first choice.

3. How competitive is it to transfer to Carleton?

Carleton College’s transfer acceptance rate for Fall 2025 was 21.21%, with 28 out of 132 applicants admitted. While this rate appears higher than Carleton’s first-year rate, the applicant pool is much smaller and highly self-selected. Transfer admissions at Carleton remains competitive, and you should approach your application with the same level of care and intentionality as a first-year application.

4. What are the chances of getting off Carleton’s waitlist?

For the Class of 2029, Carleton admitted 33 students from a confirmed waitlist of 335, a 9.85% waitlist acceptance rate among those who confirmed their spot. This figure varies year to year based on enrollment needs and yield rates, so there is no guarantee. Confirming your place on the waitlist and sending a strong letter of continued interest are the most meaningful steps you can take.

5. Why does Carleton’s acceptance rate fluctuate from year to year?

Carleton College’s acceptance rate shifts primarily because of changes in application volume, since the number of students Carleton admits each year stays relatively stable at around 1,380 to 1,480. When more students apply, the rate goes down. When fewer students apply, the rate rises. External factors like test-optional policies and broader trends in liberal arts college interest also play a role.

Takeaways

• Carleton College’s acceptance rate has moved between 16.63% and 22.28% over the past decade, with the most recent figure landing at 21.78% for the Class of 2029. Here is what the data tells you as you prepare your application:
• Early Decision offers a clear statistical advantage. Carleton College’s early decision acceptance rate of 34.61% for the Class of 2029 is well above the 20.16% Regular Decision rate. If Carleton is your first choice, applying ED strengthens your position.
• Regular Decision remains competitive but accessible compared to many peer institutions. The RD rate has hovered between 15% and 21% across the last nine classes, reflecting Carleton’s selectivity without reaching the single-digit figures seen at larger research universities.
• Transfer admissions at Carleton carries its own merits. The 21.21% transfer acceptance rate for Fall 2025 shows that Carleton does welcome transfer students, though the pool is small and the process is selective.
• Waitlist outcomes are real but variable. The 9.85% waitlist acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 shows that being waitlisted is not a closed door, though it requires patience and a proactive follow-up strategy.
• Knowing the numbers is a good starting point, but standing out in this applicant pool comes down to how well your application reflects who you are and why Carleton specifically fits where you want to go academically. Working with an admissions counselor can help you sharpen that story before you submit.