Carthage College

Don’t let the liberal arts label fool you—Carthage leans pragmatic, with nursing, business, and criminal justice dominating its 75+ majors. The most popular programs (per U.S. News) are business (marketing sees 63 grads/year), health professions (nursing produces 62 grads), and education. Standouts include:

• Engineering science: A rare ABET-accredited program at a small liberal arts college
• Nursing: Clinical partnerships with Milwaukee hospitals
• Computer science: Touted for leading to high-paying jobs post-grad

Students often double major (thanks to flexible requirements), and the faculty-student ratio of 12:1 ensures accessibility. The curriculum balances career-ready fields with classic liberal arts—think biology seminars alongside marketing practicums.

Life at Carthage orbits around Lake Michigan’s shoreline (the campus has its own beach) and a club scene that’s busier than you’d expect for 2,600 undergrads. Key details:

• 130+ student orgs, from cultural groups to esports
• 69% live on campus, with first-years required to stay in dorms
• D1 athletics (notably men’s volleyball) draw crowds, but music and theater are equally big—the arts complex hosts 100+ performances yearly
• Starbucks runs strong: The campus café is a de facto social hub

International students (from Germany, Thailand, and beyond) make up a small but visible contingent, adding to the Midwest-meets-global vibe.

Carthage’s 61% graduation rate (per College Scorecard) outpaces similar schools (peer average: 58.9%), and early-career earnings hover around $39,000—on par for its mix of majors. The 10-year post-enrollment median earnings jump to $56,950, suggesting steady career growth. Nursing and business grads fare best, with the latter often landing in Milwaukee or Chicago firms. While not a feeder to elite grad schools, the college emphasizes applied learning (internships, clinicals) that smooths the transition to work.

At $58,950 sticker price (tuition + room/board), Carthage isn’t cheap, but 94% of students receive aid, slashing the average net price to $24,962. The college offers:

• Merit scholarships: Up to $30,000/year, no separate application
• Need-based aid: Average package of $21,281
• Tuition guarantees: Fixed-rate pricing for all four years

Pro tip: Use their Net Price Calculator—it’s unusually transparent, accounting for everything from sibling discounts to work-study.

Carthage is the anti-stereotype liberal arts school: pragmatic, unpretentious, and laser-focused on outcomes without sacrificing the small-college experience. Where else can you:

• Major in criminal justice while playing D1 volleyball?
• Intern in Chicago (just an hour south) but study on a lakefront campus?
• Pay mid-tier tuition for a graduation rate that beats peers?

It’s a hidden value play—especially for Wisconsinites and Midwesterners who want career-ready programs without the cutthroat competition of Big Ten schools.