
Carthage College Lakeshore Campus
A picturesque college campus on the shores of Lake Michigan, known for its stunning natural beauty and well-kept grounds.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds

Carthage College Lakeshore Campus
Best Time
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A picturesque college campus on the shores of Lake Michigan, known for its stunning natural beauty and well-kept grounds.
"The campus is strikingly beautiful, but the interiors of some older buildings are quite underwhelming."
🧥 Winter Warrior Gear
Kenosha winters are seriously cold! Pack a warm jacket and layers to stay comfortable.
🚲 Explore Beyond Campus
For downtown Kenosha, a bike or skateboard is recommended due to limited walkability.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.2 · 114 reviews
Type
College
Website
carthage.eduHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Lake Michigan Shoreline
Campus edge along Lake Michigan
Stunning views and refreshing breezes from North America's largest freshwater lake.

Beautifully Landscaped Grounds
Throughout the campus
Meticulously maintained gardens and green spaces create a picturesque environment.

Historic Architecture
Various academic buildings
Explore charming older buildings that add character to the academic setting.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Lake Effect
Navigating Kenosha
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Carthage College safety?
My daughter is considering going to Carthage College next year for business/fiance. Is it worth the money? She has almost a perfect 4.0 GPA now and has other merit scholarship offers at other schools. Also, is it considered a safe campus?
🧥 Winter Warrior Gear
Kenosha winters are seriously cold! Pack a warm jacket and layers to stay comfortable.
🚲 Explore Beyond Campus
For downtown Kenosha, a bike or skateboard is recommended due to limited walkability.
Kenosha Transplant
I'm a high school senior from North Carolina and recently got accepted into Carthage College. Any tips or words from Kenoshans for an NC native moving to your city?
In NEED of place to stay for summer
I am a 21 M student athlete at Parkside from out of state (California) who is scrambling last minute to try and find a sublease or room for rent for the summer so I can stay out here. I'm trying to save money, but I can be somewhat flexible with the price range will be good with…
🤝 Befriend Professors
Building relationships with faculty can lead to fantastic learning experiences.
💡 Engage in Discussions
While some find student engagement low, actively participating enriches the educational journey.
Tips
from all over the internet
🧥 Winter Warrior Gear
Kenosha winters are seriously cold! Pack a warm jacket and layers to stay comfortable.
🚲 Explore Beyond Campus
For downtown Kenosha, a bike or skateboard is recommended due to limited walkability.
🤝 Befriend Professors
Building relationships with faculty can lead to fantastic learning experiences.
💡 Engage in Discussions
While some find student engagement low, actively participating enriches the educational journey.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Carthage College's Lakeshore Campus is lauded for its breathtaking location on Lake Michigan and its beautifully maintained grounds, offering a picturesque environment. However, some visitors and students note concerns regarding the student body's engagement and the perceived academic rigor in certain courses. The campus's isolation from the surrounding community and mixed dining options in Kenosha are also points of consideration.
"The college itself is beautiful because it’s on Lake Michigan. Some dorms don’t have A/C. Not necessarily needed with the breeze off the lake though.
Relatively ignorant workers in the bookstore. Unable to answer questions I had about where a certain clothing item was, then proceeded to ignore me at checkout. Extremely disappointed."
Critically Constructive
"The student body is made up of 95% mute individuals (based on repeated observations of the systemic lack in in-class engagement and participation). Okay maybe they're not actually mute, but seriously, this college has a severe problem with its student body. I cannot in good conscious recommend this college to anyone attending college primarily for an education. A significant portion of learning in college comes from one's interaction with their peers, so it is essential to make sure the student body (in addition to the courses) challenges and inspires you.
The faculty are forced by economic necessity to dumb down their classes so enough students can pass to sustain the college's finances (based on off-the-record conversations with over a dozen faculty members from a number of departments). A number of the classes are complete jokes, total blowoff classes (most likely to increase GPAs). Some, usually the smaller niche ones, are fantastic. If you do go here, befriending the professors is key.
The faculty are friendly, accessible, and highly qualified—even if some don't know how to make decent PowerPoint presentations. Class sizes are rarely above 20 students.
The campus is strikingly beautiful, but the interiors of some older buildings are quite underwhelming. The college doesn't skimp on landscaping.
The campus is also designed to isolate itself from the surrounding community. I see this as a negative, though certain kinds of parents might see this as a positive. The campus's walkability with Kenosha is properly poor. If you plan on frequenting the downtown, a bike or skateboard is a must.
The buildings aren't open 24/7 which is incredibly annoying.
Also it gets seriously cold in the winters. Bring a jacket.
It's a welcoming college for the politically conservative. It's not so good if you want a diverse student body.
I'd give it 40%.
Could try harder."
川元優希Nsytr0
"The alumni are treated pretty poorly… graduated here in 2022, went onto graduate school and now I run my own financial firm and have reached out multiple times to volunteer for the Alumni panels and other events. I have never been responded to… have even reached out to Professor Chao and not one response. I have given up and just assign myself with my graduate school at DU."
Andrew Hauenstein
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Chicago, you can drive approximately 1 hour north to Kenosha. Public transportation options include Amtrak trains to the Kenosha station, followed by a short taxi or rideshare to campus.
Visitor parking is generally available on campus, though specific regulations and locations may vary. It's advisable to check the college's official website or contact campus security for the most up-to-date information.
While the campus itself is walkable, exploring Kenosha's downtown area is best done with a bike or skateboard due to limited walkability. Rideshares are also an option.
The closest major airports are Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), about a 45-minute drive north, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), about a 1-hour drive south.
The Kenosha train station is a few miles from Carthage College, making it a long walk. It's recommended to take a taxi, rideshare, or local bus to reach the campus.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
As a college campus, general access for prospective students or visitors is usually free. However, for specific events or tours, tickets might be required. Check the Carthage College website for event details.
Campus grounds are generally accessible during daylight hours. However, building access may be restricted outside of normal business hours or during holidays.
Yes, Carthage College often offers campus tours for prospective students. If you're visiting for other reasons, you can still explore the beautiful grounds, but official tours might require booking in advance.
There are no admission fees for simply walking around and enjoying the beautiful campus grounds and Lake Michigan shoreline.
The official Carthage College website is the best resource for information on campus events, open houses, and tours.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The entire Lake Michigan shoreline offers breathtaking views. The well-maintained landscaping throughout the campus also makes for a picturesque experience.
Food options can be hit or miss in Kenosha. Hillary's Rib is mentioned as a local favorite. Exploring downtown Kenosha will offer more diverse dining choices.
Reviews suggest a diverse range of opinions, with some noting a lack of in-class engagement while others praise the faculty. It's a welcoming college for the politically conservative.
You can enjoy the natural beauty of the lakefront, explore the campus grounds, or take advantage of Carthage's proximity to Chicago and Milwaukee for day trips.
Absolutely! The stunning lake views, beautiful landscaping, and charming architecture provide ample opportunities for photography.
📸 📸 Photography
Sunrise and sunset over Lake Michigan offer dramatic lighting for stunning photographs. Midday can also be beautiful with the sun illuminating the well-kept grounds.
The Lake Michigan shoreline, the historic buildings, and the meticulously landscaped gardens are prime locations for capturing memorable photos.
Drone usage is typically regulated on college campuses and in public spaces. It's essential to check Carthage College's specific policies and local FAA regulations before flying a drone.
Generally, personal photography for non-commercial use is permitted on campus grounds. However, always be respectful of students, faculty, and private events.
A versatile setup is recommended. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive lake views and campus architecture, while a telephoto lens can be useful for details.










Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit