About Carthage

Quick Facts

  • A four-year private college of the arts and sciences.

  • Top 20 percent of National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S.News & World Report (2012).

  • A Best Midwestern College, The Princeton Review (2012).

  • Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and welcomes students of all faiths.

  • Full-time enrollment stands at a record level of 2,500 students. Total enrollment is 3,400 students.

Academics

  • Majors, minors and concentrations in more than 50 areas of study.

  • Professors, not teaching assistants, teach all classes.

  • Student-faculty ratio of 14:1.

  • More than 90 percent of Carthage professors hold doctoral or appropriate terminal degrees from the world's top graduate schools.

  • Average class size is just 17 students.

  • 95 percent of Carthage graduates earn their degrees in four years.

  • A month-long J-Term between Fall and Spring semesters lets students study subjects outside their majors or travel abroad.

  • Ranked No. 9 among baccalaureate institutions for student participation in short-term study abroad by the Institute of International Education (Open Doors 2011 Report).

  • Within six months of graduation, 95 percent of graduates report landing a satisfying career position or enrollment in graduate school.

Lakefront Campus

  • A 80-acre arboretum located on the shores of Lake Michigan.

  • Situated within an hour's drive of Chicago and Milwaukee, giving students internship and career opportunities, as well as access to some of the world's finest art galleries, museums and theatres.

  • More than $130 million invested in new construction and major renovations in the last 10 years.

  • The new Student Union opened in Fall 2011 and offers students four new dining options, a theatre, a convenience store and campus bookstore, entertainment, and a brand new way to watch Carthage football.

  • Tarble Arena opened in 2009 and features seating for 2,385 fans, a giant video board, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment.

  • The award-winning Hedberg Library opened in 2002, and includes a cyber-café featuring Einstein Bros. bagels and Freshens frozen yogurt and smoothies.

  • The N.E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center, recognized as one of the nation's finest student fitness centers, offers a 16-lane swimming pool; indoor rock climbing wall; basketball, racquetball and tennis courts; and an indoor track.

  • The A.W. Clausen Center for World Business includes state-of-the-art technology, classrooms designed to enable lively discussion, a boardroom for student presentations, and a Starbucks.

Admission

  • In 2011, more than 6,920 high school students applied for 679 positions in the freshman class.

  • More than 90 percent of students receive financial aid (FAFSA code: 003839). Significant portions of these packages are scholarships and grants.

  • Average high school GPA for fall 2011 freshmen applicants: 3.31 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Average ACT composite score: 24.60 (ACT code: 4571; SAT code: 1103). Middle 50 percent of ACT scores: 22-27.

  • Carthage awards up to 30 Presidential Scholarships each year, which range from 75 percent of tuition up to full tuition, room and board. 

  • Carthage offers scholarships in French, German, Chinese and Japanese; fine arts; math and science; and debate, as well as scholarships for transfer students and California residents. See a full list of scholarships.

  • Apply online.

Athletics

Student Life

  • There are more than 100 student organizations on campus, from service organizations to a stand-up comedy club.

  • Carthage has 15 active sororities and fraternities.

  • Approximately 20 percent of Carthage students are involved in a Greek social organization.

  • 68% of students live on campus in 11 residence halls, nine of which are coed.

  • The Oaks Village is Carthage's newest housing option. Its five buildings offer students apartment-style living.

Things to Do

Carthage by the Numbers

Student Body

2,500 full-time students
3,400 total students
68% residential
32% commuter

Student Life

More than 100 student organizations
15 active sororities and fraternities

Freshman Snapshot

3.31 average high school GPA (4.0 scale)
More than 1/3 in the top 20% of their class
From 22 states and 5 countries

Faculty

14:1 student to faculty ratio
90% have the highest degrees in their fields

Academics

More than 50 areas of study
17 students in the average class

Campus

80-acre arboretum
$130 million invested in campus development during the last decade.

Athletics

24 NCAA Division III sports

Explore Carthage