Carthage College vs Ripon College: which has better ROI?
Carthage College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,260 in 12.4 years versus 12.4 years at Ripon College, on median earnings of $56,950 vs $54,902 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carthage College | Ripon College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,565 | $20,216 |
| Total net cost | $106,260 | $80,864 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,950 | $54,902 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 12.4 yrs | 12.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $65,540 | $49,976 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carthage College or Ripon College?
Ripon College, at $20,216 a year after aid versus $26,565 — a gap of $6,349 a year, or $25,396 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carthage College or Ripon College graduates earn more?
Carthage College graduates report a median $56,950 ten years after entry, $2,048 more than the $54,902 at Ripon College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Carthage College or Ripon College?
Carthage College: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ripon College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Carthage College, against 63% at Ripon College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.