Carroll University
#2 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,009 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,193 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 67% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,182,126.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 42% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Carroll University Matters
Carroll University is a private university in Waukesha, WI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,523
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 66
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Education
Why students choose Carroll University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 67% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1040–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,193 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,009 ten years after enrolling — 42% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 93% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Carroll University is an inviting choice for students interested in health professions, business, and education, among other fields. With an enrollment of about 2,500, it strikes a balance between a close-knit community and the resources of a larger institution. The 67% acceptance rate means that many students can find a home here, especially if they’re passionate about their studies in areas like psychology or biomedical sciences.
When it comes to life after graduation, the prospects look promising. Graduates can expect to earn about $58,000 a year within a decade of finishing their degree. This figure underscores the value of pursuing a degree here, especially when considering the affordability of education. Many students rely on financial aid, and around 23% receive Pell Grants, which can help ease the burden of tuition costs.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at approximately $15,193, which is relatively manageable. The median debt of $27,000 indicates that while borrowing is common, it’s important to stay aware of repayment plans. Students who thrive at Carroll often seek a supportive environment where they can engage deeply with their studies and community, making the most of what the university has to offer.
Rankings
- #2 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
- #5 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- #5 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #5 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #6 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #7 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #13 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective Carroll University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carroll University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Carroll University, located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1190
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1040–1270
- ACT Range
- 21–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 38%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,605
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.49
- First-Gen Students
- 27%
- Applicants
- 4,728
- Admitted
- 3,411
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carroll University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carroll University is $38,890, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,193. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,718 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $38,890
- Out-of-State
- $38,890
- Avg Net Price
- $15,193
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 23%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 59%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,718
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,875
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,134
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,891
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Carroll University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Carroll University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carroll University earn a median of $58,009, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,456
- 8 Years
- $58,055
- 10 Years
- $58,009
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (459)
- 61%
- 100% (459)
- 61%
- 100% (459)
- 61%
- 100% (459)
- 61%
How Carroll Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Carroll University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Carroll University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,193/year ($60,772 total). Graduates earn $58,009 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,242,898 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,182,126 (20.5× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $60,772
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,242,898
- Net Return
- $1,182,126
- ROI Multiple
- 20.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,193
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Carroll University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Carroll University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.64%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $95,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.64%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $129,072
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,186,967
- Investment Income
- $5,312,413
Top Programs
The fields Carroll University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 25% $72,856 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $64,928 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $43,954 early-career
- Education 10% $51,244 early-career
- Psychology 6% $42,874 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Computer Science & IT 3% $73,682 early-career
- Social Sciences 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Carroll University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carroll University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Carroll University, located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carroll University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carroll University is $38,890, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,193. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,718 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Carroll University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carroll University earn a median of $58,009, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Carroll University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Carroll University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.64%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $95,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Carroll University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Carroll University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Carroll University.
- Augustana CollegeRock Island, IL · Close peer76% grad $62,971 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO · Close peer68% grad $56,280 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of TulsaTulsa, OK · Close peer73% grad $61,408 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augustana UniversitySioux Falls, SD · Close peer74% grad $59,217 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN · Close peer70% grad $55,541 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- North Central CollegeNaperville, IL · Close peer68% grad $60,123 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Carroll University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Carroll University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note