Carthage Welcomes Record First-year Class

KENOSHA, Wis. – This fall, Carthage College welcomed a record-setting first-year class, demonstrating stability and momentum in a shifting higher education landscape.

As of Sept. 15, the incoming Carthage class comprised 1,036 full-time undergraduate newcomers — 933 freshmen and 103 transfer students. Both the first-year class and the total enrollment (2,884) are the largest in the institution’s 178-year history.

While other schools in the Midwest have reported sharp declines in their student population, Carthage has steadily grown. Enrollment has increased 9% over the past six years.

“More students than ever are choosing Carthage, which reflects the confidence that families have in our strong academic programs, personalized support, and unmatched opportunities,” says Ashley Hanson, vice president for enrollment. “Across the Midwest, there’s been rising awareness that Carthage offers far more than a beautiful lake view.”

Interest has particularly surged among local students, with commuters making up 22% of the fall 2025 entering class and 34% of the total student body. Additionally, Carthage officials are starting to see the results of mutually beneficial partnerships the college has formed in surrounding communities.

“We’ve kept our ear to the ground, working closely with employers and civic leaders to identify the kinds of preparation they need us to provide,” says Carthage President John Swallow. “Thanks to our resourceful and well-connected faculty and staff, we’ve been able to pivot quickly when those needs shift.”

The college has responded to regional employer input by adding degree offerings like engineering, healthcare administration, and biotechnology. This fall, Carthage launched its School of Health to address a projected severe shortage of healthcare workers in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor. The school better aligns academic programs that serve nearly half of the student body.

Leaders also attribute Carthage’s sturdy footing to several other factors:

• Career development: Launched in 2019, The Aspire Program recently won a national Pursuit of Excellence Award for its comprehensive approach to career services.
• Affordability: Carthage has expanded access to an affordable education by eliminating out-of-pocket tuition costs for lower-income Wisconsin households, implementing a four-year graduation guarantee, and boosting scholarship funding through its ongoing $100 million Light That Travels fundraising campaign.
• Athletics: By adding four varsity sports (men’s and women’s wrestling, women’s bowling, and esports) over the past several years, Carthage has appealed to more student-athletes. More than one-third of enrolled students now compete for the Firebirds.

Carthage’s enduring success aligns with President Swallow’s vision for smart enrollment growth.

“We’re determined to grow in a sustainable way. As colleges everywhere compete for a shrinking pool of high school graduates, Carthage has resisted the temptation to lower admissions standards or take on debt in the name of short-term gain,” he says. “Our students rave about the lifelong bonds they form here, and we owe it to them to stay strong for the long haul.”

About Carthage
Carthage College is raising expectations for a private college experience. It blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, personal attention from distinguished faculty, and a focus on career development, which makes its graduates competitive in the workforce. Founded in 1847, Carthage is located on an idyllic shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the thriving corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. Grow with us: www.carthage.edu

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.