Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 62.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 60.5%
- Retention Rate
- 81.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $56,950
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 67.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $60,094 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $53,537 | $25,709 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $52,524 | $22,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $49,615 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $46,357 | $26,697 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $43,798 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $38,153 | $25,454 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,072 | $25,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $37,856 | $26,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $36,848 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $36,134 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $26,949 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $33,565 | $23,250 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Bachelor | $33,459 |
Outcomes Overview
Carthage graduates earn a median of $56,950 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 with typical debt loads of $26,000. Monthly loan payments of $276 consume about 5.8% of gross income, well below the problematic 10% threshold. The college's 97.4% employment rate reflects strong career services and alumni networks. Graduates commonly enter business, education, and nonprofit sectors, with many staying in the Midwest job market. The Lutheran liberal arts foundation opens doors to faith-based organizations and service-oriented careers. The 67.85% loan repayment rate suggests most graduates manage their debt successfully. Given reasonable debt levels and solid earning potential, Carthage delivers an average return on investment.