Kenosha, Wisconsin Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

Executive Summary (TL;DR)

Colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin: median public in-state tuition $11,239 (+97.2% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $57,115 (-3.9% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 93.8% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $18,588 (+37.7% vs U.S.) 11,087 students enrolled statewide.

Overview

Colleges and universities in Kenosha serve students across Wisconsin with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 6 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 11,087 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $11,239. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Kenosha, Wisconsin and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Related profiles

Kenosha vs Wisconsin & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Kenosha, Wisconsin$11,239$20,276$18,58865.8%11,087
Wisconsin (state median)$5,489$13,258$18,18256.0%227,817
United States$5,700$9,912$13,50049.3%14,465,291

Earnings & employment outcomes: Kenosha, Wisconsin vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Kenosha, Wisconsin$57,11593.8%68.7%7.8%—66.3%0.39
Wisconsin (state median)$59,65095.3%76.4%3.2%—81.8%0.37
United States$59,40193.0%76.4%5.0%—73.8%0.36

Other cities in Wisconsin (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Kenosha, Wisconsin$11,239$20,276$18,58865.8%11,087$57,11593.8%
Madison$12,993$20,293$16,13360.6%50,789$72,60096.3%
Madison$12,993$20,293$16,13360.6%50,789$72,60096.3%
Madison$12,993$20,293$16,13360.6%50,789$72,60096.3%
Milwaukee$36,925$20,863$21,87558.6%43,045$59,48894.4%
La Crosse$10,534$17,064$20,50066.9%13,709$65,74696.6%
Eau Claire$7,580$16,133$11,71762.0%13,227$62,43896.2%
Green Bay$8,985$12,211$17,98846.7%12,536$67,33794.6%
Appleton$31,887$15,585$10,37578.7%7,339$59,02592.8%
United States$5,700$9,912$13,50049.3%14,465,291$59,40193.0%

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 66.7%, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 65.8%, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 41.2%, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 94.3%, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 93.8%, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 88.3%, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 most selective colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 75.4%, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 87.1%, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 92.0%, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $81,319, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $77,504, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $63,689, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $106,611, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $91,010, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $89,495, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $52,464, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,998, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,105, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,306, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,197, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $42,269, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,594, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $57,115, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $44,255, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $201,898, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $150,479, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $112,698, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 most affordable colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $11,233, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $20,276, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $26,444, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

Top 3 colleges in Kenosha, Wisconsin by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 73.4%, Carthage College

    Carthage College

    Private nonprofit · 2,660 enrolled · Kenosha

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 68.7%, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Public · 2,844 enrolled · Kenosha

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 57.1%, Herzing University-Kenosha

    Herzing University-Kenosha

    Private nonprofit · 522 enrolled · Kenosha

In-state tuition: Kenosha, Wisconsin vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Kenosha, Wisconsin median in-state tuition is $11,239, +97.2% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Kenosha, Wisconsin vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Kenosha, Wisconsin is $18,588 (+37.7% vs U.S. median $13,500). Regional median: $14,568.

Median earnings (10 years out): Kenosha, Wisconsin vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Kenosha, Wisconsin center around $57,115 (-3.9% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Kenosha, Wisconsin vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 93.8% at the median Kenosha, Wisconsin campus (+0.8 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Kenosha, Wisconsin median public in-state tuition is $11,239, about +97.2% vs the national median. Versus the Great Lakes region, tuition is +95.7%.

Median graduate debt is $18,588 (+37.7% above the U.S. median of $13,500). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Kenosha, Wisconsin are $57,115, about -3.9% vs the U.S. campus median ($59,401).

The median campus reports 93.8% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 93.0% (+0.8 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 68.7% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 7.8% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 66.3% (U.S. 73.8%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Carthage College (94.3%), University of Wisconsin-Parkside (93.8%), Herzing University-Kenosha (88.3%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Kenosha, Wisconsin is 65.8% (national institution average about 49.3%).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Kenosha?

This city profile covers 6 campuses in Kenosha, Wisconsin with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Kenosha?

Median in-state tuition in Kenosha is $11,239 and median net price is $20,276. For Wisconsin overall, medians are $5,489 and $13,258; U.S. medians are $5,700 and $9,912.

What do graduates earn in Kenosha?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Kenosha is $57,115 vs $59,650 for Wisconsin and $59,401 nationally.

What is student debt like for Kenosha colleges?

Median completer debt in Kenosha is $18,588 vs $18,182 for Wisconsin and $13,500 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Kenosha?

Top campuses on this page include Herzing University-Kenosha (graduation) and Carthage College (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Kenosha?

Among 6 campuses in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 3 campuses report at least 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment in U.S. Department of Education data; examples include Gateway Technical College, Herzing University-Kenosha, and The Salon Professional Academy-Kenosha; 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Evangelical Lutheran Church (1).

Sources & related