Kenosha, WIprivate nonprofitwww.carthage.edu/
Carthage College is a small, private liberal arts school in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Lake Michigan views meet a surprisingly robust career-prep curriculum. With an 87% acceptance rate and a median SAT range of 1010–1280, it’s accessible yet punches above its weight in nursing, business, and criminal justice programs. The vibe is tight-knit (69% live on campus) and active, with 130+ student orgs and a graduation rate that beats peer averages.
Carthage College is decidedly not a reach school—with an 87% acceptance rate (per multiple sources), it’s firmly in the ‘likely’ category for most applicants. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1010–1280 on the SAT or 19–26 on the ACT, though 98% of applicants submit ACT scores (reflecting Wisconsin’s ACT-heavy testing culture). Notably, 40% of applicants are male and 60% female, with first-year enrollment hovering around 700 students annually. The college doesn’t publish an early decision rate, but its rolling admissions policy suggests flexibility for late applicants.
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:
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:
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:
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:
It’s a hidden value play—especially for Wisconsinites and Midwesterners who want career-ready programs without the cutthroat competition of Big Ten schools.