A “Large Small College”

  • 92%

    medical school acceptance rate among Carthage pre-health students. * National average: 41%

  • No. 6

    nationally for participation in short-term study abroad

  • 100%

    of Carthage students receive scholarships and grants

  • 2,300

    feet of Lake Michigan shoreline

  • 17

    students in an average class

  • 100%

    of classes taught by faculty (not TAs)

It’s often said that Carthage offers the best of both worlds.

Our campus is a peaceful arboretum with breathtaking lake views — but we’re located in the vibrant city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, with Chicago and Milwaukee just a short trip away.

Classes are small with an average of just 17 students — but opportunities loom large. Carthage students land coveted jobs and internships, compete in 28 varsity sports, expand their impact through 130+ student organizations, and pursue passions as far-reaching as underwater study to out-of-this-orbit NASA research.

Carthage’s degree programs are powerful and purposeful — but rooted in the liberal arts, so students graduate prepared not just with the skills they need to excel in their first job, but the critical thinking skills and adaptability they’ll need to succeed in every job after that.

Click on the categories below to learn why Carthage is widely recognized for excellence, and consistently ranked as one of the Best Colleges in the Midwest.

Carthage professors know their students — not just by name, but by what captivates them. Our 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personal attention. We offer the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 75 subject areas; the Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Nursing, and Physics; as well as a Master of Education, Master of Music (music pedagogy and music theatre vocal pedagogy) and Master of Science (business design and innovation, sports management) degrees.

  • Named a 2024 Best College in America by The Wall Street Journal.
  • 2024 Best Regional College by The Princeton Review.
  • Named one of Money’s 2023 Best Colleges.
  • Top 10 in the country for student participation in short-term study abroad.
  • Named a Best Regional Midwestern University (U.S. News & World Report).
  • Named a Best Value University in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report (U.S. News & World Report).

Carthage is firmly and proudly rooted in a magnificent location — more than 80 lush acres on the shore of Lake Michigan, midway between two major metropolitan areas. This prime location provides more than breathtaking views. Internship and employment opportunities abound just beyond campus, thanks to our central location in the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor. And there’s plenty to do on campus and beyond.

Carthage is one of only two liberal arts colleges in the country to lead NASA’s Space Grant Consortium, and we’ve been sending students into zero-g for more than a decade. Our students build experiments that fly on Blue Origin rockets and are headed for the International Space Station. And that’s just in our space sciences program. At Carthage, research is built into the student experience.

See other opportunities that stand out

  • A graduate receives her diploma from President Swallow.

    Boundless Curiosity

    “We have thought deeply about how we can best serve our students as they pursue their education and dreams. Carthage focuses on developing in our students high-value practical skills, but also boundless intellectual curiosity. Students discover their curiosity at Carthage.” — President John Swallow

    Explore Majors & Minors

    Meet President Swallow