Rankings & Honors

RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

We know reputation matters, and Carthage goes toe-to-toe with colleges and universities many times our size. Our programs consistently earn accolades in academics, research, performing arts, and athletics.

Review Our Resumé

To paraphrase a popular quote, it’s not bragging if it’s based on facts. Here’s a small sampling of Carthage’s latest rankings and honors:

• Carthage is one of America’s best colleges, according to The Wall Street Journal (2025).
• The Princeton Review names Carthage one of the best regional colleges (2025).
• Carthage ranks among the best value schools in the region, according to U.S. News & World Report (2025).
• For its commitment to keep students on track to graduate, Carthage earned a Leading Colleges Retention Award. Only 25 schools nationwide were recognized. 
• For more than a decade, the Carthage Microgravity Team has partnered with NASA and aerospace companies to solve problems in space.
• Carthage received the 2024 Career Services Pursuit of Excellence Award for its comprehensive approach to career development in The Aspire Program. 
• Carthage Theatre has won the Citizen Artist Award five times at the Kennedy Center’s annual festival, along with many other accolades for its original plays.
• The Firebirds won back-to-back NCAA Division III championships (2021 and 2022) in men’s volleyball, and our student-athletes have earned 24 individual national titles.