Admit rate has ranged 58%–72% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Carroll University, a small private institution in Waukesha, Wisconsin, blends liberal arts foundations with strong pre-professional programs—particularly in health sciences. With an acceptance rate hovering around 67%, it attracts students drawn to its tight-knit community, hands-on learning (including a notable physical therapy program), and a campus vibe that balances academic rigor with Midwestern warmth. Financial aid reaches 100% of students, though its $55K sticker price demands scrutiny.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,523
In-state tuition
$38,890
Out-of-state tuition
$38,890
Location
Waukesha, WI
Acceptance Rate
67%
4-Year Grad Rate
59%
On-Campus Housing
60% of students
Total Annual Cost
$55,422
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Students Receiving Aid
100%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$58,009
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.8×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
71%
First-year retention
78%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
72%
Pell (lower-income) share
39%
First-generation share
27%
Endowment / student
$37,202
Financial health
2.3 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$74,576
Computer Science$62,012
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$61,317
Accounting and Related Services$54,644
Business Administration, Management and Operations$45,618
Special Education and Teaching
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.40
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
94
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
18°F
Annual rain
39.4"
Annual snow
38.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
70
Scholarly works
1,134
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
21%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Carroll University?
Carroll University's acceptance rate is approximately 67% (Waukesha, WI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Carroll University?
Admitted students at Carroll University typically score 1040–1270 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Carroll University cost?
At Carroll University, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,193 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Carroll University?
Carroll University enrolls approximately 2,523 undergraduate students.
Where is Carroll University located?
Carroll University is located in Waukesha, WI.
Admissions
Carroll University admits roughly two-thirds of applicants, with recent Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 56-72% depending on the year and reporting source. Mid-50% test scores for admitted students fall between 1090-1260 on the SAT or 21-27 on the ACT—though the university emphasizes that these are optional submissions. The admissions process is test-flexible, accepting unofficial score reports and not requiring the ACT writing section. Over the past decade, acceptance rates have averaged 71%, with a recent dip to 67%, suggesting slightly increasing selectivity.
Carroll offers 95+ undergraduate majors and minors, with health professions and kinesiology dominating student choices. Its curriculum merges liberal arts with career-focused programs, including accelerated graduate tracks. Notably, the university supports undecided students through its Exploring Program, which provides structured advising to help students identify majors aligned with their strengths. Small class sizes foster close faculty interaction, while graduate programs emphasize flexibility—a draw for working professionals.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$43,128
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$41,441
Graphic Communications$40,768
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Sixty percent of Carroll students live on campus, creating a residential community bolstered by orientation mentors who ease the transition to college life. The university actively cultivates inclusivity through its Office of Community Culture, while programming ranges from comedians to game nights. Niche reviews highlight the school's intimate atmosphere, where professors know students by name. Housing options prioritize community-building, with themed floors and cross-cultural experiences woven into residential life.
Carroll boasts a 59% four-year graduation rate—above national averages—with 69% completing degrees within five years. Alumni median earnings one year post-graduation sit at $36,427, though some reports cite higher figures for specific programs (e.g., $62,000 median for certain graduates). The university frequently appears on 'best value' lists, with Money Magazine noting its balance of cost, graduation rates, and alumni earning potential. Physical therapy and health science graduates tend to outperform these averages.
With a total annual cost of $55,422, Carroll positions itself as a premium private institution—but one where 100% of students receive financial assistance. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests significant aid packages are common, though the university encourages prospective students to model their individual scenarios. Aid includes merit scholarships and need-based grants, with first-year students urged to complete the FAFSA early. Compared to public Wisconsin options, Carroll's value proposition hinges on its small classes and health program outcomes.
Carroll distinguishes itself through three pillars: health sciences excellence (especially physical therapy), Midwestern community values (evident in its 10:1 student-faculty ratio), and outcomes-focused affordability. Unlike liberal arts colleges that shy away from pre-professionalism, Carroll leans into it—while retaining enough humanities depth to satisfy accreditation requirements. The campus culture strikes a rare balance between supportive and ambitious, producing graduates who outperform earnings expectations for the region. Its 150-year Presbyterian heritage surfaces more in ethics than dogma, appealing to students who want values without chapel requirements.
Carroll University logo · sourceAbout | Carroll University · sourceVisit Campus | Carroll University · sourceCampus Center | Carroll University · source
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