Carroll University
Carroll University has an acceptance rate of 66.8%, annual tuition of $38,890, average net price of $15,193, and a national rank of #301 (Grade A-), with a 70.7% graduation rate within 150% of normal time, about 2,523 undergraduates, and median earnings of $66,639 four years after graduation. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Carroll University is a private nonprofit university in Waukesha, WI. Students most often pursue Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, and 78.2% first-year retention. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
EDsmart calculates return on investment at 101.8%, roughly 51.9 points higher than typical outcomes. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Carroll University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Carroll University graduates 70.7% of students within 150% of normal time (the completion rate used in EDsmart rankings), with an 8-year award rate of 65.7% and keeps 78.2% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Carroll University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $38,890 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $14,280 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $4,002 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $52,639 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 22.9% of Carroll University students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $15,718 to $14,891 depending on family income. Use Carroll University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $15,730/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $14,891/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- Median Earnings (4 Years After Graduation) $66,639
- 10-Year Median Earnings $58,009
- Average Years to Graduate 4.3 years
- Average Student Debt $27,000
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 72.4%
- Employment Rate 95.0%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Carroll University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Carroll University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Carroll University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Carroll University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: Carroll University graduates report median earnings of $66,639 four years after graduation, +10% above the national median. The 101.8% ROI indicates solid long-term value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 510-640
- SAT Math 530-630
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 21-27
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 2,523
- Full-Time Students 96.7%
- Part-Time Students 3.3%
- Retention Rate 78.2%
- Grad Rate (150% time) 70.7%
- Grad Rate (8-year) 65.7%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 14:1
How to Get Into Carroll University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Carroll University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 66.8%, Carroll University is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 66.8% acceptance rate, Carroll University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1040 and 1270 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Carroll University undergraduates. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnes, and Psychology, General draw the most students.
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing 15.4%
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnes 14.4%
- Psychology, General 9.2%
- Biology, General 6.3%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 6.3%
- Health and Medical Administrative Services 5.5%
See more majors
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 4.8%
- Accounting and Related Services 2.8%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General $83,340
- 2. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $76,892
- 3. Health and Physical Education/Fitness $73,249
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Accounting and Related Services $72,714
- 5. Biology, General $69,029
- 6. Business Administration, Management and Operations $67,677
- 7. Public Health $63,762
- 8. Communication and Media Studies $57,287
- 9. Graphic Communications $55,027
- 10. Psychology, General $53,733
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degree) $125,835
- 2. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $89,301
- 3. Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degree) $82,762
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degree) $67,342
- 5. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degree) $66,141
- 6. Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degree) $62,616
- 7. Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degree) $57,937
- 8. Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (Master's Degree) $52,089
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General grads earn $83,340—55% more than Psychology, General ($53,733). Graduate: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions programs lead with $125,835 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Carroll University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degree, 92 graduates)
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degree, 86 graduates)
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degree, 77 graduates)
- Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 55 graduates)
- Biology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 38 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (45 programs)▼
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Psychology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Biology, General
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Accounting and Related Services
- Zoology/Animal Biology
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Computer Science
- Marketing
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Graphic Communications
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- English Language and Literature, General
- Communication and Media Studies
- Mathematics
- History
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Public Health
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Education, Other
- Sociology
- Political Science and Government
- Music
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Engineering Physics
- Chemistry
- Special Education and Teaching
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- International/Global Studies
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
- Philosophy
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Design and Applied Arts
Online Master's Degrees (13 programs)▼
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Special Education and Teaching
- Computer Engineering
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Graphic Communications
- Education, Other
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics
- Behavioral Sciences
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (2 programs)▼
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Online First Professional Degrees (1 program)▼
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 2,523
- Full-Time Students 96.7%
- Part-Time Students 3.3%
- Male Students 32.6%
- Female Students 67.4%
- Caucasian 69.6%
- Asian 2.5%
- Hispanic 13.8%
- Black 4.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients 22.9%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Carroll University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Carroll University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Carroll University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Carroll University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Women make up 67.4% of undergraduates. About 22.9% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Carroll University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Carroll University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Carroll University offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with 101.8% ROI. Ranked #301 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $15,193 annual net price is moderately higher than state schools, offset somewhat by $66,639 median earnings. With 70.7% graduating within 150% of normal time and 78.2% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Carroll University's Positioning
With a A- grade and #301 ranking, Carroll University competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $15,193 annually, Carroll University charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 78.2% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $10,635 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The 101.8% ROI and $66,639 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $5,193+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Carroll University ranks #301 of 1947 institutions, with 266 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 70.7% graduation rate sits 8.2 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 78.2% first-year retention is 1.5 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- 101.8% return on investment is 51.9 points above the national 49.9% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $66,639 run about 10% higher than national outcomes four years after graduation.
- Average net price of $15,193 is roughly $4,886 lower than the national median of $20,079.
Helpfulness for Students
- 14:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 78.2% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 95.0% employment rate within three years sits 26.8 points above national outcomes.
- Pell participation at 22.9% trails the national share by 11.5 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Waukesha, WI, Carroll University operates as a private nonprofit university and receives a A- from EDsmart. It appears at #301 in EDsmart's national list Category results include Completion (B+), Support (B), Career Outcomes (B+), and Affordability (B).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
About 78.2% of first-year students return; 70.7% graduate within 150% of normal time, with an 8-year award rate of 65.7%. The reported ROI is 101.8%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $15,193 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $52,639.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $37,446 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $27,000 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 22.9% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $66,639 four years after graduation. That sits about 10% above the national median.
Employment outcomes report about 95.0% of alumni working within three years.
Plan around an ROI of about 101.8% according to the Scorecard data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
66.8% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Carroll University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carroll University's acceptance rate?
Carroll University's acceptance rate is 66.8%, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard admissions data.
How much does Carroll University cost?
At Carroll University, listed tuition and fees are $38,890 per year, and the average net price after aid is $15,193. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What is Carroll University's ranking?
Carroll University ranks #301 nationally in EDsmart's 2026 college rankings with an overall grade of A-, based on completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.
What is Carroll University's graduation rate?
At Carroll University, the graduation rate within 150% of normal time is 70.7% (the rate used in EDsmart rankings), College Scorecard 8-year award rate is 65.7%, and first-year retention is 78.2%.
What are Carroll University's job outcomes?
Graduates of Carroll University report median earnings of $66,639 four years after graduation, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is Carroll University's student population?
Carroll University enrolls about 2,523 undergraduate students, per College Scorecard enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address Waukesha, WI 53186
- Website www.carrollu.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationHigher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
- Endowment$86.2M