Carthage vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Carthage College in Kenosha, WI with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carthage College is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (2,844 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carthage College is located in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carthage College 14:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Carthage vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carthage or WLC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wisconsin Lutheran College than Carthage ($24,095 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 8.9% lower than at Carthage College ($12,250 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $2,640 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Carthage than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $2,640 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Carthage College students ($24,624 vs. $23,784).

Carthage vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carthage or WLC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WLC and Carthage.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carthage College (1100) is the same as at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carthage College 1000/1205; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carthage College 19/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carthage - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Carthage vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Carthage vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carthage and WLC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Carthage College's (59%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carthage students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.