Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Kenosha, Wisconsin
84.2% Acceptance Rate
Carthage College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
84.2%Acceptance Rate
3.36Avg GPA
1113Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$47,980Annual Cost
$56,950Grad Salary
25.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.2%
Avg GPA
3.36
Avg SAT
1113
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1000–1205
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Need-Based Aid
25.8% receive Pell
Carthage College is a private, liberal arts college in Wisconsin located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Known for its commitment to academic excellence and a holistic approach to student growth, it offers a supportive community that integrates study-abroad, research, and internship opportunities into a rigorous undergraduate curriculum.
Carthage College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Carthage College is inclusive by design. 84.2% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 84.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.91
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Carthage College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Carthage College (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Carthage GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Carthage is 3.36. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.06–3.36 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.56–3.76.Carthage GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.96 – 3.15
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.95
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No essay, interview, or letters of recommendation required; application is free with fee waiver code BRIGHTFUTURE and takes about 10 minutes via Carthage's own portal or the Common App
- Admission is rolling and non-binding - applicants can apply anytime after finishing junior year, and earlier applications receive earlier scholarship notification ahead of the December priority window
- January Term (J-Term) is a required, distinctive block in the academic calendar for intensive courses, study abroad, and internships - not an optional extension of winter break
- Core curriculum requires 2 Global Language courses in the SAME language and 4 Written Communication courses; AP credit is accepted toward requirements, but dual-enrollment and college-program credit are not recognized for admission purposes
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Carthage
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Carthage College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Carthage College (Carthage) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Carthage. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Carthage Without SAT or ACT?
Carthage considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Carthage College Average SAT Score: 1113
Admitted students at Carthage College average a 1113 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1113 — Less Competitive
A 1113 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1205 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Carthage College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1000? A retake is worth it at Carthage. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 555 | 510 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 548 | 490 | 605 |
| SAT Composite | 1113 | 1000 | 1205 |
A score under 1000 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1205+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Carthage College (Carthage) with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Carthage's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Carthage College (Carthage) ACT Requirements
Carthage's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT English | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into Carthage College with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Carthage's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Carthage weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Carthage
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Carthage is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Use the zero-friction application to your advantage - apply the moment you finish junior year
Carthage requires no essay, no interview, and no letters of recommendation, and the application (via Carthage's own portal or Common App) takes about 10 minutes and is free with fee waiver code BRIGHTFUTURE. Because the barrier to applying is so low, there's no reason to wait - submit as soon as you finish junior year so your file is reviewed early and you're notified of both admission and scholarship eligibility well ahead of the December priority window other applicants are still working toward.
Don't mistake "rolling, non-binding" for "no urgency" when it comes to merit scholarships
Because Carthage has no application deadline, it's tempting to treat the process as low-priority - but scholarship notifications go out earlier to earlier applicants, and Carthage's scholarships are described as generous specifically for students who apply well ahead of the December timeframe. Treat "rolling" as a reason to move fast, not a reason to delay.
Plan your schedule around J-Term as a required academic commitment, not an optional add-on
Carthage's January Term is a distinctive, intensive month-long block built into the academic calendar - courses, study-abroad trips, and internships happen here, separate from fall/spring semesters. When comparing Carthage to other schools or planning a part-time job, internship, or travel around your college calendar, account for J-Term explicitly since it functions as a mandatory third term each year, not a winter break extension.
Confirm your foreign language background covers Carthage's specific two-course, same-language requirement
The core curriculum requires two Global Language courses in the SAME language - if your high school language study is fragmented across multiple languages, or you were hoping AP credit alone would clear this, verify with admissions exactly how your specific credits map to this requirement before enrolling, since dual-credit and college-program credits (unlike AP) are not recognized for admission purposes at all.
Expert Insight:
The common misjudgment is treating Carthage's frictionless, essay-free application as evidence that timing and details don't matter. Scholarship dollars are allocated earlier to earlier applicants under the rolling system, and specific curriculum requirements (like the same-language, two-course rule) can catch students off guard late in the process if assumed rather than confirmed in advance.
Carthage Profile
Full Name
Carthage College (Carthage)
City
Kenosha
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
53140-1994
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Carthage Degree Worth It?
Whether Carthage is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $76,400, and graduates see a 3.04% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Carthage Cost?
Listed tuition runs $47,980/year at Carthage. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Carthage, 25.8% receive a Pell Grant and 83.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Carthage on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Carthage Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Carthage graduates report a median income of $56,950, about 40% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Carthage College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Carthage College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Carthage College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
Degree Programs at Carthage
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Carthage Admissions
Carthage College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $56,950/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Carthage College is moderate, around $47,980/year; many students supplement with aid.
25.8% of Carthage College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Carthage College's acceptance rate is 84.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Carthage College students is 3.36, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.06 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Carthage College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.96 or below makes admission tougher at Carthage College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Carthage College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1113, and within the 1000–1205 range, keeps you competitive.
Carthage College's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority). That's Carthage College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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