Carthage Admission Requirements

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Kenosha, WI
  • 4.5 4 reviews
#10 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

Carthage Admission Overview

Carthage admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Carthage admitted 87.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.36 GPA (B+) and SAT 1000-1205 / ACT 19-26. Carthage is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carthage Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

87.1%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Carthage College

Acceptance Rate

The Carthage acceptance rate is 87.1%. Last year, 6,771 of 7,777 applicants were admitted. That is the 25th lowest acceptance rate in Wisconsin.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Carthage and can you get accepted?

Carthage is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Carthage College typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.36. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carthage GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.36

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.36

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Carthage typically have around a 3.36 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Carthage is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #18 in Wisconsin for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Carthage College freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 4.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 23.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 16.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 16.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 5.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Carthage SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1000-1205

Freshmen who sent SAT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 490
  • Math 510
  • Composite 1000
SAT 25th percentile scores for Carthage College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 605
  • Math 600
  • Composite 1205
SAT 75th percentile scores for Carthage College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Carthage typically score around a 1100 SAT (middle 50% 1000–1205) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 59th percentile nationally. Carthage ranks #10 in the state of Wisconsin for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1000 to 1205

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Carthage is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Carthage College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1205+ Above 75th >93%
1100 to 1205 Avg + 87%-93%
1000 to 1100 Avg - 78%-87%
Below 1000 Below mid-50 <78%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carthage ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

3%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 19
  • Math 19
  • Composite 19
ACT 25th percentile scores for Carthage College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 26
  • Composite 26
ACT 75th percentile scores for Carthage College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Carthage typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Carthage places #18 among colleges in Wisconsin for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Carthage without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Carthage College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
26+ Above 75th >93%
22 to 26 Avg + 87%-93%
19 to 22 Avg - 79%-87%
Below 19 Below mid-50 <79%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Carthage chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Carthage College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,572 3,156 7,777
Accepted 4,005 2,723 6,771
Acceptance Rate 88% 86% 87%
Enrolled 447 315 762
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 12% 11%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Carthage College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Carthage College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Carthage College is $35.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Carthage College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Carthage is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 87.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.36 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1000-1205); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Carthage College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=238476.

GPA calculator: Carthage College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026