Carthage College
Carthage College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Carthage College at a Glance
Carthage College is a private college in Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1847, it is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Carthage awards bachelor's degrees with majors in more than 40 subject areas and master's degrees in three areas. Carthage has 150 faculty and enrolls approximately 2,600 students. It is an affiliate of the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium.
1847
179 years old
$163M
$163 million (2024)
2,667
2,559 undergrad · 108 grad
150
80 acres
Identity
Is Carthage College Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Carthage College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $56,950 — 6% above average — while paying $26,565/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Carthage College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Carthage College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #84 of 153 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #84 | Carthage College | 33 | $26,565 | $56,950 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Carthage College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in WI.
Best Programs at Carthage College
The highest-earning program at Carthage College is Accounting and Related Services at $52,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $20,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Carthage College earns $52,400, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $20,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,500 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,565/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,400 | $52,400 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,700 | $46,700 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $44,000 | $44,000 | $26,812 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $42,600 | $42,600 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,500 | $38,500 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,800 | $37,800 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,200 | $34,200 | $26,199 |
| Biology, General | $33,000 | $33,000 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,100 | $30,100 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $26,305 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,700 | $29,700 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Music | $22,700 | $22,700 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $20,800 | $20,800 | $26,500 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Kenosha, WI
- Student Body
- 2,660 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,565
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,950
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000