Economics at Carthage College

Carthage College's economics graduates earn $36,493 in their first year—roughly $15,000 less than the Wisconsin median and $20,000 below what graduates from UW-Oshkosh or UW-Madison typically see. This places the program in just the 25th percentile statewide and 5th percentile nationally, meaning about 95% of economics programs in the country report higher first-year earnings. Even accounting for the manageable $19,500 in median debt, the earnings shortfall is substantial enough to matter.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so they may not fully represent the typical graduate's experience. However, the gap between Carthage's outcomes and other Wisconsin schools—including regional peers like UW-Eau Claire and Saint Norbert—suggests a meaningful difference in early career positioning. Whether that stems from employer networks, internship opportunities, or the regional job market in Kenosha versus Madison or Milwaukee isn't clear from the data alone.

For parents weighing this investment, the core question is whether Carthage's smaller environment and other intangibles justify accepting earnings that trail state peers by roughly 30%. If your child is set on economics and targeting corporate finance, consulting, or data analysis roles, programs with stronger placement records would likely deliver better returns.