University of Wisconsin-Parkside vs Carthage 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 17 years at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, on median earnings of $56,950 vs $51,129 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Carthage College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,772 | $26,565 |
| Total net cost | $47,088 | $106,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,129 | $56,950 |
| Median debt | $20,492 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 17 yrs | 12.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,292 | $65,540 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Parkside or Carthage College?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside, at $11,772 a year after aid versus $26,565 — a gap of $14,793 a year, or $59,172 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Wisconsin-Parkside or Carthage College graduates earn more?
Carthage College graduates report a median $56,950 ten years after entry, $5,821 more than the $51,129 at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. 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, University of Wisconsin-Parkside or Carthage College?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside: its completers carry a median $20,492 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Carthage College, a difference of $5,508. 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 40% at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. 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.