Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 2,844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State University or Carthage? 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Carthage ($11,546 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 8.3% lower than at Carthage College ($12,340 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 199.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $25,820 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.3% higher at Carthage than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $8,300 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Saginaw Valley State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 76% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($23,784 vs. $13,512).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State University or Carthage? 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 Carthage and Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carthage College (1100) is 50 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Carthage (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State University and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carthage College and Saginaw Valley State University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carthage College and Saginaw Valley State University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 48%)

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.