Our promise: All students who enter Carthage as freshmen will graduate in four years with a bachelor’s degree.
*To qualify, just meet a few requirements along the way — see carthage.edu/guarantee for details. 75+ areas of study Full list on back cover 2,600
“Carthage offered a beautiful campus and a tight-knit community with an affordable price tag. it just checked all my boxes.”
– MICHAEL MALYSZEK ’25Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Carthage shares the Lake Michigan shore with two lively neighbors: chicago and milwaukee. It’s OK to stare — we never get tired of the view, either.
Of the Fortune 500 companies, 40
45 minutes 1 hour to Milwaukee to
2,300 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline
reasons
to love our campus
Our Great Lake is a built-in stress reliever, research lab, air conditioner, and artist’s muse. On land, trees cover our 80+ acre campus, an official arboretum.
In recent years, we’ve invested $265 million in the places where you’ll study, conduct research, live, dine, and work out.
Pick from a long list of nearby employers like Jockey International, Uline, Abbott Laboratories, and SC Johnson. Seemingly every month, major companies like Amazon, Haribo, and Microsoft announce plans to set up or expand operations here.
With two train stations close by, you can take the Metra to Chicago or Milwaukee and the Amtrak all over the Midwest. And it’s hard to find an airport with more direct flights than Chicago’s O’Hare, one of three options for air travel in this region.
Rush hour isn’t a big deal here, so getting around town by car, bike, or even foot is easy. See pages 18-19 to get a better sense of the Kenosha scene.
When the bright lights call, you’ll find even more great food, music, cultural events, art, and professional sports within an hour’s drive.
“It’s a slice of tranquility where I can soak in the beauty of the blooming flowers, feel the sunlight on my face, and listen to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks.” – ABIGAIL
SMITH ’25
devoted to teaching
Simply put, Carthage professors love to teach. No snooty, big school attitudes here. Your success is their top priority.
bring out your best
They take the time to learn what motivates each student, both caring for and challenging you to unlock your potential.
field experience
They’ve got the Ph.D. framed on the wall, but faculty here draw more from the knowledge and connections they’ve gained in their fields.
never boring
Professors constantly re-evaluate their teaching strategies. From magic tricks to historical simulations, they find ways to spice up lessons.
beyond the classroom
In small classes, you naturally get to know your professors, and traveling with them on study tours or collaborating with them on summer research can even strengthen that bond.
career guidance
Once you select a major, a faculty advisor will help you chart a path from courses to careers. The mentoring continues long after graduation.
A Carthage education digs deep into your major and spans a wide cross-section of topics to equip you for whatever this increasingly fluid and interconnected world throws at you.
100% of classes taught by faculty (not TAs)
17 students in an average class
for best undergraduate teaching in Midwest (2024 U.S. News rankings) #7
“From meaningful research to diverse events that allowed me to meet my friends, Carthage offers a wealth of avenues for personal and academic growth.”
– SUMMER ZILISCH ʼ26
Our commitment to equity and inclusion
At Carthage, we strive to enhance the diversity and equity of our community and, together, to create an ever more enlightened and inclusive educational environment that positively impacts the world. Because of who you are, where you come from, and the gifts you possess, you belong here.
President John R. Swallow
Professors aren’t the only ones looking out for you. When you need it, help is everywhere at carthage.
“Honestly, big universities scared me. I didn’t want to be a face in a lecture of 300 people where the professor didn’t know me and I didn’t know my classmates. I wanted to matter. carthage is close-knit community. Everyone has a place and a network of people who can help us succeed.”
– MADELYN LEPPIAHO ’25
In our holistic approach to advising, you’re guided by a team with expertise in different aspects of the college experience. Each student is assigned: a course registration specialist a career specialist a faculty advisor a student success advisor
Carthage also provides targeted support for students with distinct needs:
First-generation college students
Commuters
International students
Students of color
LGBTQIA+ students
Student-athletes
Undocumented Veterans
Differently abled
We offer free tutoring and writing assistance, and accommodations are available for students with documented learning disabilities. engagement and inclusion center
Just one part of our anti-racism commitment, this is both a gathering space and the base for lots of equity and inclusion programs.
Experienced professionals can help you maintain physical, mental, and emotional health.
Any student, regardless of beliefs, can receive pastoral care confidentially.
Plan to live on campus? Your RA and hall director are a door knock or call away.
Carthage is committed to an environment free of gender-based discrimination and sexual violence. other sources of support on campus 7
How do we know a Carthage education is practical? Our students secure great jobs and graduate school placements even before graduating.
james castro ’24
Major: Nursing
Emergency Department Nurse
Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital
rosemary ehle ’24
Major: Accounting Auditor
Deloitte jana ahlstrand ’24
Major: Graphic Design
Graphic Designer
Kohl’s
justin santos ’24
Major: Educational Studies Science Teacher
Beach Park (Ill.) Middle School
Graduate Student (Master of Education)
Carthage College
of our newest grads report they’ve secured a job or are continuing their studies 98%
The Aspire Program™, our exclusive career development sequence, guides your journey from day one at Carthage. Identify your interests, skills, and purpose and connect them to a future with lasting value.
These are a few of the major employers in our region that have hosted Carthage interns and hired Carthage graduates:
a few weeks
Our popular J-Term study tours convert book learning to 3-D, with groups fanning out to a dozen or more global destinations each year.
All modern language majors study abroad for an extended period, but all students have that option through our affiliated partners.
The
Experiencing life in another country, even for a short time, transforms you like no classroom discussion can.
15+
INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOURS OFFERED EACH JANUARY AND JUNE
ANTARCTICA the only continent where our students haven’t studied
immediate exposure
The unique biology course Molecules, Cells, and Organisms gives freshmen a quick initiation into the world of hands-on scientific research.
meaningful work
Ongoing studies advance the understanding of eye cancers, animal communication, athletic concussions, race relations, and more.
paid options
Summer research (SURE) program participants receive a stipend, plus free room and board. Majors like engineering and healthcare administration offer a year of paid work experience.
entrepreneurial focus
Awarded special funding, faculty innovators team with students and outside partners to solve problems. If you find a way to monetize the solution, even better!
open to all
Carthage awards SURE grants for all kinds of student projects — from a scientific study to a detailed economic analysis to a campus mural.
presentation skills
Between poster sessions at conferences and articles published in academic journals, our students learn to communicate findings to different audiences.
built-in expectation
To graduate, all students must do a senior thesis. It might take the form of a research paper, a public recital, or a professional portfolio.
Nursing majors gain 3 YEARS of clinical experience at over 55 CLINICAL PARTNERS
Urban education minors spend 750 HOURS in local schools before student teaching
Our programs incorporate original research, field work, and projects for real-world partners, because Carthage knows students learn best by doing.
Want to fly in space? Join the club. And we mean that literally.
For more than a decade, Professor Kevin Crosby and Carthage students have partnered with NASA and leading companies to solve problems in the aerospace industry. They’re developing technology that could be key to the next generation of spacecraft and commercial jetliners.
Students from the Carthage Microgravity Team go weightless to conduct valuable research. NASA found their propellant gauging technology so promising that it’s scheduled to go to the moon via a mission by Intuitive Machines.
Carthage is the lead institution for the NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, and eight of our own students have earned highly competitive NASA center internships in the past three years.
Swimming
Volleyball
coed
Esports (competes in NECC)
more than 1/3 OF STUDENTS COMPETE IN ATHLETICS
let’s go, firebirds ! NCAA Division III competition provides a first-class test that Carthage teams frequently ace.
Stretch your artistic talent in challenging courses and team with accomplished professionals to showcase it.
Our mascot, Ember, always stands ready to fire up the home crowd. But you’ll see this firebird at all kinds of events, symbolizing the unified Carthage spirit.
200+ ARTS AND PERFORMANCE EVENTS ON CAMPUS EACH YEAR 55% OF ENSEMBLE PERFORMERS ARE NON-MUSIC MAJORS more than 1/3 OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Bring your interests and cultural traditions, and even pick up some new ones. Outside of class, you decide how your day is structured.
130+ student-run clubs and orgs
1 BAZILLION* coats of paint on Kissing Rock, a Carthage tradition *estimated
residential students
Carthage is a residential college at its core, and that means more than having a place to sleep. We believe there’s plenty to learn from roommates, floormates, and simply learning to live on your own.
Traditional Housing: First-year residential students typically live in one of our four traditional halls, which primarily offer two-person rooms and communal bathrooms.
Denhart Madrigrano
Johnson Tarble (all-female)
Suite-Style Housing: Returning students (sophomores and above) can request one of our newer residential options, which feature suites with private bathrooms for two or four students:
Oaks Village (6 buildings) The Tower commuters
New students who live within a 30-mile drive or meet other criteria can opt out of Carthage housing. Commuters can get much of the full college experience by using the facilities, joining clubs, using meal swipes at campus eateries, and introducing friends to local hotspots.
Powered by Parkhurst Dining, our cafeteria serves fresh, handcrafted meals, with daily allergen-free options. Most meal plans come with Birdie Bucks that are also usable at seven campus locations, including convenient grab-and-go stations and a rotation of vendors that students select each semester. For those morning classes, our campus is one of only two in Wisconsin with a full-service Starbucks.
picture yourself at home. Want to sample a slice of campus life before visiting? Check out MyCarthage, a student-run Instagram account.
MyCarthage
100,000+ people
70+ parks
150+ restaurants
5 museums
With massive economic growth and a lively downtown, there’s so much to explore in kenosha.
“One of my favorite things about living in Kenosha is the markets. The food is always so good!
– EMILY VAN DIXHORN ’26
kenosha highlights you might not realize 9
Along with our famous drive-ins and diners, restaurants here serve great pizza, soul food, sushi, burritos, vegetarian dishes, and upscale culinary delights.
Visit the farmers’ markets and specialty stores to bring home fresh produce, authentic Mexican or Italian ingredients, gourmet popcorn, Wisconsin cheese, and more.
Connect to a 14-mile bike trail from the edge of campus, rent a kayak, or enjoy the best salmon and trout fishing in Wisconsin.
While Carthage’s lakeside location gets you close enough for a refreshing mist, you can pick from the city’s five sandy beaches when you’re ready to dive in.
Just off I-94 in Pleasant Prairie, 90+ outlet stores sell top brands at a discount. Or browse vintage and boutique shops to support the Buy Local movement.
Explore dozens of art galleries and showcase your musical talent at the Kenosha Creative Space, which welcomes student performers.
Supplementing the College’s lineup of faith programs, nearby churches, synagogues, and mosques welcome students to join their services in person or remotely.
Through their Carthage clubs, departments, and teams, students regularly organize service activities for local charities.
Stop back over break to check out the Bristol Renaissance Faire, Kenosha Kingfish baseball, and the Country Thunder music festival.
automatic merit scholarships
Based on grades, students receive a guaranteed amount per year in scholarships when they’re admitted.
competitive scholarships
Each year, Carthage awards more than $2 million in competitions for scholarships like these, which cover up to four years as long as you meet annual renewal criteria:
Presidential Scholarship Program (35)
• Range from $29,000 per year to full tuition
• Open to all incoming students
DEIL Fellowships (up to 15)
• Each covers $2,500 per year
• Open to students with strong leadership potential and commitment to diversity through campus activities
Education Scholarship (1)
• Covers full tuition
• Open to students who intend to major in education
Engineering Scholarship (1)
• Covers full tuition
• Open to students who intend to major in engineering Kenosha Scholarships (8)
• Each covers full tuition
• Open to city of Kenosha residents
Math / Science Scholarships (2)
• Each covers full tuition
• Open to students in eligible areas of study
Modern Languages Scholarships
• Each covers $29,000 per year in each eligible area of study: French, German, Japanese, and Spanish Nursing Scholarship (1)
• Covers full tuition
• Open to students who intend to major in nursing School of Business and Economics Scholarships (2)
• Each covers full tuition
• Open to students in eligible areas of study
Transfer Scholarships (4)
• Range up to full tuition
• Two reserved for transfer students entering in fall, two others open to those entering in spring
Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships
• Range from $500 to $13,000 per year
• Open to students in eligible areas of study $20M in scholarships awarded each year
