Carthage at a Glance
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.
- 2,600 full-time undergraduate students.
- 2,800 total students.
- 100% of Carthage students receive financial aid (FAFSA code: 003839).
- Carthage awards more than $20 million in scholarships and grant assistance.
- Carthage awards more than $2 million annually in competitive scholarships.
- Average high school GPA for Fall 2024 freshman applicants: 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
- Average ACT composite score for Fall 2024 freshman applicants: 24. (Carthage is test-optional.)
- Approximately 41% of Carthage’s student body self-identified as American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, or multiracial in 2024.
- Rolling admissions. Apply as early as June 1!
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.
- Majors, minors, and concentrations in more than 75 areas of study.
- 4 Year Graduation Guarantee.
- 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- Average class size is just 17 students.
- Professors, not teaching assistants, teach all classes.
- Month-long J-Term for travel abroad and in-depth study.
- 92% medical school acceptance rate.
- Every student is automatically enrolled in The Aspire Program for career development.
- Over the past 6 years, 90% of new Carthage alumni have reported that they are employed, continuing their education, or pursuing other plans of their choosing.
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916.
- 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).
- 28 varsity sports, 27 of which are NCAA Division III sports.
- Men’s sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross-country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field (indoor and outdoor), Volleyball, and Wrestling.
- Women’s sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cross country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field (indoor and outdoor), Volleyball, Water Polo, and Wrestling.
- Coed competitive varsity sport: Esports.
- About one-third of Carthage students are involved in varsity intercollegiate athletics.
- Another one-third of Carthage students participate in intramurals and club sports.
- Carthage’s team name is the Firebirds, and our mascot is named Ember. Let’s go Firebirds!
- 200+ arts and performance events each year on campus.
- 59% of students performing in our music ensembles are non-music majors.
- B.A. degree programs in Art Education, Art History, Graphic Design, Music, Music Performance, Studio Art, Theatre, Theatre Performance, Theatre Technical Direction, Theatrical Costume Design, and Theatrical Stage Management.
- B.A. degree programs in Music with emphases in Piano Pedagogy, Music Theatre, and Music Composition.
- B.M. degree programs in Music Education, Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano, and Musical Theatre.
- Minors in Animation, Art History, Dance, Film and New Media, History of the Arts, Music, Musical Theatre, Photography, Studio Art, and Theatre.
- Carthage awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year to admitted students who excel in visual and performing arts.
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.
- 80+ acres on the shore of Lake Michigan.
- Lakeside views and a winding river.
- 130+ student clubs and organizations.
- 14 active sororities and fraternities; about 20% of students are involved in a Greek social organization.
- More than $250 million invested in campus facilities in recent years.
- 70% of students live on campus. Learn more about housing and residential life
- The Tower Residence Hall is Carthage’s newest housing option. It’s eight stories offer single and double rooms, semi-private bathrooms, and two floors of common space.
- The Center for Faith and Spirituality welcomes those of all faith journeys. Weekly chapel services rooted in the Lutheran tradition and Catholic Mass are offered, along with interfaith discussions.
- Located within an hour’s drive of both Milwaukee and Chicago.
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.
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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