Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Carthage College

With estimated first-year earnings around $43,700 and debt near $27,000, this program mirrors what comparable liberal arts programs in Wisconsin typically produce. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 suggests graduates could manage their loans within a year's income—a reasonable starting point, though not exceptional.

The challenge is context. Wisconsin's flagship and comprehensive universities report actual outcomes for their liberal arts graduates ranging from the mid-$40s to the low $50s, giving families concrete benchmarks to weigh against Carthage's estimated figures. Similar programs in Wisconsin suggest this earnings level, which sits right at the state median, but without reported data specific to Carthage, it's harder to assess whether this particular college's network, internship connections, or career services justify its price point compared to state schools with documented outcomes.

The $27,000 debt estimate aligns with the national median, keeping monthly payments manageable if earnings projections hold. However, liberal arts degrees require strategic career planning—employers care more about skills and experience than the major itself. For a family considering Carthage at this price point, the question becomes whether the smaller campus environment and personal attention at this 84% acceptance-rate college offsets the uncertainty around outcomes and the potential savings at Wisconsin public universities with proven track records in this field.