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Explore Carleton

The character of Carleton is the blend of rigor and good humor that permeates everything we do. It fosters depth, creativity, and compassion, both inside the classroom and out. We are joyfully competitive — more likely to inspire one another than jockey for favor. It is what we’re all about: passionate pursuits among friends.

The character of Carleton is the blend of rigor and good humor that permeates everything we do. It fosters depth, creativity, and compassion, both inside the classroom and out. We are joyfully competitive — more likely to inspire one another than jockey for favor. It is what we’re all about: passionate pursuits among friends.

If You Build It, They Will Learn

Evelyn Anderson Hall is Carleton's new Academic Building for the Sciences. With natural lighting, open spaces, and a place for food, it's the best place to foster collaboration and learning

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Access for All

Amid a national conversation on race-conscious admissions, President Byerly shares Carleton's commitment to increasing the diversity of our student body in every dimension.

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Vision Quest

Rukaiyah Adams ’95 left a high-powered finance career in Manhattan to return to her hometown of Portland, Oregon, where she is committed to restoring the city’s historically black neighborhood.

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One Day Apprentice: Kyle Leichter ’12

Kyle Leichter '12 is a motorcycle test engineer. Something he wasn't sure he could do with a Liberal Arts education

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Fundraising for the Future

Dennis Quirin’s ’95 philanthropic work changes young people’s lives, and the world they will inherit, for the better.

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Birding in the Basin

The movement of birds may be correlated to climate change

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To Teach or Not to Teach?

#MeToo is one of the most impactful movements of our generation; here's how it changed the way we talk about our curriculum.

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A Tough Nut to Crack

Phil Chan '06 wanted to combat Asian stereotypes he saw in ballet. To make that change, he went straight to the top.

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The Power of Produce

Claire Kelloway '16 saw an opportunity to build a relationship between local Hmong Farmers and Carleton. She didn't hesitate.

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Academia for All

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship supports diversity in higher education

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Interabled on the Internet

Correcting misperceptions about living with a disability

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All Over the Map

Carleton's off-campus study programs create incredible opportunities for exploration

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student smiling in class

A Liberal Arts College Like No Other

You’re not a cookie-cutter student and you don’t want a cookie-cutter school. Carleton takes the best things the other top schools have to offer — and does them better. Let us show you how.

Exceptional Liberal Arts
Evolution of a Scholar

Maybe you already know what major — or even career — you want to pursue. Once you get to Carleton, you might change your mind: get ready to follow your passions wherever they lead.

Shelve your preconceptions
Trimesters

By offering three terms per year instead of two, Carleton allows students to take more classes during their four years. Taking just three courses per term allows you to dig deeply into the material.

Who needs semesters?
Off-Campus Studies

More than 70 percent of Carleton students study abroad. With more than 20 Carleton-led programs, low fees, and straightforward credit transfers from outside programs, we make the world your classroom.

Go global
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We've Got Your Back

No one at Carleton goes it alone. From your faculty adviser to your RA to your classmates and friends, you’ll find a supportive community of people who want you to succeed.

Support for Student Success
Standout Faculty

Our professors are brilliant thinkers, diligent researchers, and prolific artists. But above all, they’re passionate about teaching. They’ll challenge you, support you, and encourage you. We think they’ll inspire you, too.

Meet our talented teachers
Career Center

Career Center programming starts your first year. Exploratory programs dive into different fields. Networking activities connect you with alumni. Internship and externship opportunities give you real-world experience.

Turn your dreams into reality
Academic Support

Even the smartest students ask for help. If you want to practice a presentation, polish your writing, or conquer a problem set, you’ll find the support you need to do your best work.

Find a helping hand
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Outside of the Classroom

Carleton students work hard, but they like to have fun, too. We have hundreds of student clubs and organizations, so you can keep doing the things you love — or, better yet, try something new!

Campus Life
Clubs & Organizations

Chances are we’ve got your interests covered among our 200 student organizations. Whether you’re continuing a favorite hobby or discovering something new, you’ll find ways to get involved.

Check out our clubs
Living on Campus

Living on a residential campus has many perks. Your friends are always nearby. Something interesting is usually happening a few yards from your front door. And getting to class never takes longer than 10 minutes.

Get ready to live more
Staying Active

It’s easy to be active at Carleton. Join a varsity, club, or intramural team, explore the 800-acre arboretum, or swim laps in the pool. You’ll find plenty of places to play on campus.

Play on
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After Carleton, Always Carleton

Carls for life! As soon as you enroll here, you’ll join a network of alumni who will be your mentors and allies forever. Don’t believe us? Put on a Carleton sweatshirt. Go anywhere in the world. Watch what happens.

After Graduation
True Brit

Filmmaking helped Brit Fryer ’15 find his voice, and thanks to a Sundance Film Festival Fellowship, that voice is getting heard.

Read Brit’s story
Ready to Play

Jamie Glover ’06 and Fatimah Hussein founded ASIYA Sport, a company that manufactures modest sportswear for Muslim athletes.

Read Jamie and Fatimah's story
An Apple a Day

Wade Thompson ’07 and Jim Watkins ’07 go rogue in the world of hard cider and craft brewing.

Read Wade and Jim's story