Accounting at Carthage College

Carthage's accounting program delivers strong starting salaries—$61,887 puts graduates ahead of 79% of accounting programs nationally—while keeping debt reasonable at $27,000. The 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first year's salary, a comfortable position for entering a professional field. Earnings climb steadily to over $70,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are advancing into roles with genuine career progression.

Within Wisconsin, the picture is more nuanced. While Carthage outperforms the state median, it trails the flagship UW-Madison and Marquette by $6,000-$7,000 in starting pay, and sits just below UW-Whitewater and UW-Eau Claire. For in-state students comparing options, those public universities might offer similar outcomes at lower sticker prices. Carthage's 84% admission rate suggests accessibility, but families should verify net cost after aid—if you're paying significantly more than public alternatives, that $5,000-$10,000 salary gap could take years to close.

For students who thrive in a smaller college environment and can attend at a competitive price, this program works. The earnings are genuinely strong, the debt is manageable, and accounting firms care more about your CPA credentials than your diploma's prestige. Just don't assume the private school premium automatically translates to better job prospects than Wisconsin's solid public options.