Carthage College graduates achieve above-average earnings that reflect the institution's focus on practical career preparation, particularly in business and professional fields.
The college's zero percent default rate and solid long-term outcomes demonstrate its effectiveness in preparing students for financial stability after graduation.
Carthage College is a medium-sized private nonprofit institution in Kenosha, Wisconsin, that combines the personal attention of a smaller college with solid long-term career outcomes. While not ranking among the most selective institutions nationally, Carthage delivers above-average earnings for its graduates, with median 10-year earnings of $56,950 that place the college in the 63rd percentile nationally. The institution serves a moderately diverse student body, with about 26% receiving Pell Grants and 26% being first-generation college students.
What distinguishes Carthage is its focus on practical career preparation, particularly in business fields where the college shows notable strength. The institution's "Opportunity Builders" designation reflects its ability to provide meaningful educational value to students from various backgrounds, even if access levels are more limited than at larger public institutions. Graduation rates are solid, with about 61% of students completing their degrees within six years, and the college maintains a strong track record of preparing students for stable, well-paying careers in fields like business administration, digital marketing, and financial services.
Carthage College's program portfolio centers on practical, career-oriented fields that prepare students for immediate workforce entry and long-term professional success. Business Administration leads both in scale and economic impact, graduating 70 students annually with strong median earnings of $49,615, making it the college's flagship program. Digital Marketing, with 65 graduates, reflects the college's responsiveness to evolving industry needs, producing graduates who earn $46,357 in a rapidly growing field.
The college's highest-earning program, Banking and Financial Support Services, demonstrates Carthage's strength in specialized business education, with 44 graduates achieving median earnings of $53,537. This program exemplifies the college's approach of offering focused, industry-specific training that leads directly to well-paying careers in financial services. The concentration of strong programs in business and related fields creates a coherent academic identity that serves students well in the job market.
What makes Carthage's program mix particularly effective is its focus on practical skills and industry connections. Rather than spreading resources across numerous fields, the college has developed depth in business-related disciplines where it can provide specialized training, strong faculty expertise, and meaningful employer relationships. This targeted approach helps explain why graduates achieve above-average earnings despite the college's moderate size, as students benefit from concentrated resources and focused career preparation in high-demand fields.
Carthage College graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the institution's focus on career-oriented education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $56,950, placing the college above average nationally and demonstrating the value of its programs in preparing students for stable, well-paying careers. The college's strength is particularly evident in business-related fields, where graduates consistently achieve strong early-career earnings that continue to grow over time.
Business Administration stands out as the college's flagship program, graduating 70 students annually with median 10-year earnings of $49,615, making it both the largest and highest-return program by total economic impact. Digital Marketing, with 65 graduates, produces median earnings of $46,357, while Banking and Financial Support Services leads in individual earnings at $53,537 for its 44 graduates. These programs reflect Carthage's practical approach to education, emphasizing skills and knowledge that translate directly into career success.
The college's focus on business and professional programs creates a concentrated pathway to middle-class careers, with many graduates entering stable industries where earnings grow steadily over time. This targeted approach helps explain why Carthage graduates achieve above-average earnings despite the institution's moderate selectivity, as students benefit from specialized training and strong industry connections that support long-term career advancement.
Carthage College's private college pricing reflects typical patterns for nonprofit institutions, with net prices varying significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay about $18,307 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $22,692, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,527. These prices place Carthage in the lower portion of the national distribution for affordability, reflecting the inherent cost structure of private education compared to public alternatives.
Despite the higher sticker price typical of private colleges, Carthage maintains reasonable debt levels for most graduates. Students typically leave with about $26,000 in federal loan debt, a manageable amount given the college's solid earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $29,755, which represents a significant family investment but remains within reasonable bounds for families who choose private education. The college's zero percent federal loan default rate indicates that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully.
What makes Carthage's pricing sustainable is the combination of targeted financial aid and strong career outcomes. The college's focus on practical, career-oriented programs means graduates enter fields with predictable earning potential, making the initial investment more manageable over time. While affordability remains a consideration for many families, the college's track record of graduate success helps justify the costs for students who value the personalized attention and career preparation that smaller private institutions can provide.
Carthage College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
