Carthage College Lakeshore Campus

Carthage College Lakeshore Campus

4.2
·114 reviews·Kenosha, United States

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 content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Pleasant weather, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
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Carthage College Lakeshore Campus

Carthage College Lakeshore Campus

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Pleasant weather, fewer crowds

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A picturesque college campus on the shores of Lake Michigan, known for its stunning natural beauty and well-kept grounds.

4.2
(114 reviews)

"The campus is strikingly beautiful, but the interiors of some older buildings are quite underwhelming."

Vertical photo
TIP

🧥 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.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.2 · 114 reviews

Type

College

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Lake Michigan Shoreline

Lake Michigan Shoreline

Campus edge along Lake Michigan

Stunning views and refreshing breezes from North America's largest freshwater lake.

Beautifully Landscaped Grounds

Beautifully Landscaped Grounds

Throughout the campus

Meticulously maintained gardens and green spaces create a picturesque environment.

Historic Architecture

Historic Architecture

Various academic buildings

Explore charming older buildings that add character to the academic setting.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Lake Effect

Carthage College's Lakeshore Campus boasts stunning Lake Michigan views, offering a refreshing breeze even in warmer months. However, be prepared for seriously cold winters; a good jacket is a must! Reddit

Navigating Kenosha

While the campus is beautiful, its design can feel isolating from the surrounding community. For exploring downtown Kenosha, consider a bike or skateboard as walkability is limited. Reddit

Best Times

When
Spring & Fall mornings
Why
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Summer afternoons
Why
Lake breeze is refreshing
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

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. Reddit

🚲 Explore Beyond Campus

For downtown Kenosha, a bike or skateboard is recommended due to limited walkability. Reddit

reddit.com

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?

reddit.com

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. Reddit

💡 Engage in Discussions

While some find student engagement low, actively participating enriches the educational journey. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

🧥 Winter Warrior Gear

Kenosha winters are seriously cold! Pack a warm jacket and layers to stay comfortable. Reddit

🚲 Explore Beyond Campus

For downtown Kenosha, a bike or skateboard is recommended due to limited walkability. Reddit

🤝 Befriend Professors

Building relationships with faculty can lead to fantastic learning experiences. Reddit

💡 Engage in Discussions

While some find student engagement low, actively participating enriches the educational journey. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.2
(114 reviews)

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

Stunning lake views
Beautiful landscaping
Picturesque campus

What People Dislike

Student engagement issues
Mixed dining options
Campus isolation

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

🎫 🎫 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. Reddit

Campus grounds are generally accessible during daylight hours. However, building access may be restricted outside of normal business hours or during holidays. Reddit

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. Reddit

There are no admission fees for simply walking around and enjoying the beautiful campus grounds and Lake Michigan shoreline. Reddit

The official Carthage College website is the best resource for information on campus events, open houses, and tours. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The entire Lake Michigan shoreline offers breathtaking views. The well-maintained landscaping throughout the campus also makes for a picturesque experience. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

Absolutely! The stunning lake views, beautiful landscaping, and charming architecture provide ample opportunities for photography. Reddit

📸 📸 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. Reddit

The Lake Michigan shoreline, the historic buildings, and the meticulously landscaped gardens are prime locations for capturing memorable photos. Reddit

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. Reddit

Generally, personal photography for non-commercial use is permitted on campus grounds. However, always be respectful of students, faculty, and private events. Reddit

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. Reddit

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Carthage College Lakeshore Campus (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide