At $24,813/yr net price, Carthage College graduates earn $56,950/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,950/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,813 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,252 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,950/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,950/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,307/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,228/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,692/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,465/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,527/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
60.5% of students at Carthage College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Carthage College gives you a middling financial return. You pay just under $25,000 a year in net price and walk out earning about $57,000 at the ten-year mark, with median debt of $26,000. That debt load is manageable against those earnings, but the four-year sticker gap between what you pay and what you earn is not the kind of return that erases doubt.
The programs that pay off here are on the quantitative and business side. Computer and Information Sciences leads at roughly $60,000, and it carries no listed debt figure, which makes it the cleanest bet on campus. Finance and accounting follow close behind, with accounting standing out because it pairs solid pay near $52,500 with the lowest debt of any top program, about $22,250. Marketing sits at the bottom of the listed programs near $46,000 while carrying nearly as much debt as business administration, so it earns less and costs the same to finance.
The risk specific to Carthage is the graduation rate. Four in ten students who enroll do not finish in the tracked window, and if you borrow and leave without the degree, you carry the debt without the earnings that justify it. Retention above 81 percent is a better sign for your first year, but the gap between staying and finishing is where the money gets lost.
Carthage fits you if you enter aiming at computing, accounting, or finance and you intend to graduate. It fits families under $30,000 in income best, where net price drops to about $18,300. If you are targeting marketing or a lower-earning field and paying the full $27,500 that families over $110,000 face, the math gets thin, and you should compare cheaper options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carthage College worth the cost?
Carthage College graduates earn $56,950 after 10 years, which is modest given the $24,813 annual net price. The 60.5% graduation rate means 4 out of 10 students don't finish, making this a risky investment for many students.
What are the best paying majors at Carthage College?
Computer science graduates from Carthage earn $60,094 annually, making it the only program that clearly justifies the cost. Finance ($53,537) and accounting ($52,524) also provide decent returns, while marketing graduates earn just $46,357.
How much debt do Carthage College students graduate with?
Carthage students graduate with a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, the relatively low starting salaries mean debt payments will still be a significant burden for most graduates.
Does Carthage College provide good financial aid?
The net price of $24,813 suggests decent financial aid for a private college, though this still represents a substantial investment. Students should carefully consider their major and career goals before committing to this cost level.