“A vibrant liberal arts college on the shores of Lake Michigan, preparing graduates to lead with purpose.”
Carthage College is a private Lutheran liberal arts institution founded in 1847, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. After relocating from Illinois to its current stunning 80-acre lakeside campus in Kenosha, Wisconsin in the 1960s, Carthage has built a reputation as one of the Midwest's most dynamic small colleges. The campus sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, just an hour from both Chicago and Milwaukee — a geographic advantage that translates directly into robust internship pipelines and career networks for students in nearly every field. Academically, Carthage combines a strong liberal arts foundation with professional preparation across more than 75 areas of study. The college is well regarded for its nursing, business, education, communication, and performing arts programs, and continuously adds programs to meet student demand — most recently engineering science, game development, and film and new media. A signature J-Term (January intensive) allows students to pursue accelerated coursework or global study abroad experiences during winter. Dual-degree partnerships with leading graduate schools in engineering, pharmacy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic extend Carthage's reach into specialized professional pathways. About one-third of the student body participates in one of 24 NCAA Division III athletic teams, and another third engages in club or intramural sports, giving Carthage an unusually athletic campus culture for its size. Student life at Carthage is energetic and tradition-rich. The Kissing Rock — a 2.5-ton granite boulder brought to campus by the Class of 1913 — and the Victory Bell (moved with the college from Illinois) are beloved symbols of the campus community. The Carthage Activities Board produces weekly events, the campus hosts year-round theatre and music performances, and 130+ student organizations cater to nearly every interest. Kenosha's revitalized waterfront, proximity to Chicago, and the natural beauty of Lake Michigan provide a quality-of-life backdrop that students consistently praise.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
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Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceScholarship Priority Deadline
Apply by December 3 to be considered for most competitive merit scholarships
Rolling Admission
No application deadline; applications are reviewed year-round on a rolling basis
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$38,750
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Undergraduate business programs emphasizing accounting, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship with Chicago-metro internship access.
Nationally recognized teacher preparation programs with rigorous pedagogy and extensive clinical placements in regional schools.
Biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and pre-health tracks with strong laboratory facilities and research opportunities.
Houses English, history, philosophy, modern languages, theatre, music, visual arts, and new programs in film and game development.
Psychology, sociology, political science, criminal justice, social work, and interdisciplinary social justice programs.
CCNE-accredited BSN program with clinical rotations at Advocate Aurora Health and other regional health systems.
4 years
CCNE-accredited program with hands-on clinical placements at major regional health systems and strong NCLEX preparation.
4 years
Offers concentrations in accounting, finance, marketing, and management with access to Chicago and Milwaukee internship markets.
4 years
A nationally competitive performing arts program with year-round productions, a dedicated theatre complex, and a strong professional alumni network.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $38,750
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
