Carthage College vs Houston Christian University

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Houston Christian University
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
Carthage College
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
Carthage College
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
Carthage College
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
84.2%
85.2%
Avg SAT Score
1,113
1,092
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1000 – 1205
970 – 1200
Avg ACT Score
24
25
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 26
19 – 28
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$24,813
$19,710
Tuition (In-State)
$36,500
$38,100
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$36,500
$38,100
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
25.8%
53.9%
Federal Loan Rate
83.3%
56.2%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$56,950
$55,933
Graduation Rate
62.6%
49.5%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
81.6%
69.2%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
2,628
2,777
Undergrad Enrollment
2,651
3,499
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Carthage College

Academics
B-
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
C+

Houston Christian University

Academics
C
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
A+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Carthage College and Houston Christian University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Carthage College is more selective with a 84.2% acceptance rate compared to Houston Christian University's 85.2%. Average SAT scores are 1113 and 1092 respectively.

Cost: Houston Christian University offers a lower average net price at $19,710, which is $5,103 less than Carthage College ($24,813). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Carthage College earn a median salary of $56,950 ten years after enrollment, which is $1,017 more than Houston Christian University graduates ($55,933).

Graduation: Carthage College leads with a 62.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 81.6% vs 69.2%.

Campus Size: Houston Christian University is the larger campus with 2,777 total students, while Carthage College has 2,628.

Bottom Line: Houston Christian University wins on affordability while Carthage College leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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