About Carthage
A Community of Deep Connections.
Founded in 1847, Carthage College is located on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin, midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Home to 2,800 students, Carthage blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, and personal attention from distinguished faculty.
At Carthage, we embolden passionate and compassionate students to pursue knowledge in all its forms, to seek deeper connections with people and purpose, and to use their optimism and creativity to make a positive imprint on a world that needs them now more than ever.
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/38,103,201,266/396_30615_HelenMarchant24.rev.1638389814.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/38,103,201,266/396_30615_HelenMarchant24.rev.1638389814.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/38,103,201,266/396_30615_HelenMarchant24.rev.1638389814.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="163" data-max-h="163" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “It has been very beneficial to have the ability to talk with professors one-on-one. Building relationships with my professors has even produced a difference in my grades! And building relationships with my professors will become helpful for networking in the future.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/518-">Helen Marchant</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg" alt="Serena Richardson ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1956" data-max-h="1956" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The professors at Carthage want you to succeed! If you have questions, concerns, or any doubts, they are all ears and willing to help you get back on your feet. They have a lot of life wisdom to share outside of academic life, and I am so grateful for their continuous love and care.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1871-">Serena Richardson</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg" alt="Nicky Caldwell ?23" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1440" data-max-h="1440" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Carthage faculty have been supportive of my dreams and aspirations. It’s been such a comfort having these seasoned professionals and talented educators in my corner.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1513-">Nicky Caldwell</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/491_Ayanna_Crenshaw.rev.1638389813.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/491_Ayanna_Crenshaw.rev.1638389813.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/491_Ayanna_Crenshaw.rev.1638389813.jpg" alt="Ayanna Crenshaw ?24" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="300" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I am extremely involved on campus. I am on the Women’s Track and Field team, a member of Black Student Union, Pi Sigma Epsilon, Alpha Lambda Delta, and I am also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/504-">Ayanna Crenshaw</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/47,79,314,346/427_AllyssaVargas.rev.1638389814.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/47,79,314,346/427_AllyssaVargas.rev.1638389814.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/47,79,314,346/427_AllyssaVargas.rev.1638389814.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="267" data-max-h="267" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The biggest surprise for me so far would have to be how much Carthage feels like home. Before going away for college, I never pictured myself loving a place so much.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/474-">Allyssa Vargas</a> ’22</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
A commitment to Excellence.
A Tradition of Transformation.
- <div class="text-with-stat__stat"><div class="text-with-stat__stat-inner"><strong class="text-with-stat__stat-number">17</strong><span class="text-with-stat__stat-text"><p> students in an average class</p></span></div></div>
- <div class="text-with-stat__stat"><div class="text-with-stat__stat-inner"><strong class="text-with-stat__stat-number">2,300</strong><span class="text-with-stat__stat-text"><p> feet of Lake Michigan shoreline</p></span></div></div>
- <div class="text-with-stat__stat"><div class="text-with-stat__stat-inner"><strong class="text-with-stat__stat-number">100%</strong><span class="text-with-stat__stat-text"><p> of classes taught by faculty (not TAs)</p></span></div></div>
- <div class="text-with-stat__stat"><div class="text-with-stat__stat-inner"><strong class="text-with-stat__stat-number">91%</strong><span class="text-with-stat__stat-text"><p> medical school acceptance rate among Carthage pre-health students. <em>* National average: 41%</em></p></span></div></div>
- <div class="text-with-stat__stat"><div class="text-with-stat__stat-inner"><strong class="text-with-stat__stat-number">No. 6</strong><span class="text-with-stat__stat-text"><p> nationally for participation in short-term study abroad</p></span></div></div>
- <div class="text-with-stat__stat"><div class="text-with-stat__stat-inner"><strong class="text-with-stat__stat-number">>90%</strong><span class="text-with-stat__stat-text"><p> of Carthage students receive scholarships and grants</p></span></div></div>
Carthage provides students with rare access to uncommon learning opportunities, hands-on experiences, dedicated faculty, caring mentors, and state-of-the-art facilities. Explore, expand, and refine your talents on our inspiring campus, in the largest hub of social, economic, and technological innovation in the Midwest.
- Named a Best Midwestern College by the Princeton Review
- Named a Best Regional University in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report
- Named a Best Value University in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report
- No. 6 in the country for student participation in short-term study abroad
- 96% medical school acceptance rate
- Lead institution for NASA research
- Generous scholarships and financial aid, plus a 4-Year Graduation Guarantee
- New high-demand programs like engineering, data science, and sports management
- Strong commitment to equity and inclusion
- Home to The Aspire Program™, a comprehensive four-year career development program that ensures all students graduate with the skills they need to succeed after college
Prof. Edward Kawakami leads the Carthage Philharmonic during a Carthage Christmas Festival.
Prof. Tracy Gartner meets with a student.
Student work together on a class project.
Prof. Leslie Cameron leads an Introduction to Psychology class.
Students on the J-Term study tour Biodiversity, Brains and Behavior encounter a shark underwater in Honduras.
Carthage students celebrate Holi on campus.
A spring look at the "Learning Moment" statue on Campus Drive.
German professor Greg Baer leads a classroom discussion.
Carthage’s outdoor classroom provides the perfect place to watch the sunrise.
Students hang out in the red Adirondack chairs between classes.
Carthage Theatre presents 3-5 main stage productions each year.
Students meet for a quick study break between classes.
The atrium in the Science Center is a favorite place to study.
The stepped theatre in the Science Center is another favorite study spot.
Students take in the views during a J-Term study tour to South Africa.
A student takes a study break between classes on the second floor of the Clausen Center.
Students gather to work together on a group project in the A. W. Clausen Center for World Business.
A look down at the bustling Starbucks cafe inside the Clausen Center.
Explore Carthage
- <div class="page-widget page-widget--callout"><div class="callout callout--image"><div class="callout__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.jpg" alt="A Learning Moment, in Carthage College?s Sesquicentennial Plaza." width="1010" height="556" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/79/width/1010/height/556/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2133/32224_Lincoln_plaza_Call_Out.rev.1640877900.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2133"/> </picture> </div><div class="callout__content"><h2 class="callout__title"> 175 Years of Excellence </h2><div class="callout__body"><p> At Carthage, we’ve seen 175 years of leaders, makers, and go-getters go out and go forth. We’ve changed our name — and even our location — since we were founded in 1847. But the core of a Carthage education has stayed the same: Our liberal arts foundation provides students with a strong academic, moral, and intellectual compass, so they become perceptive, resourceful, and grounded individuals.</p><p><a href="/about/college-history/">Our Rich History</a></p></div></div></div></div>