At $16,722/yr net price, Alverno College graduates earn $53,145/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,145/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,722 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $66,888 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,145/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,145/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,889/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,885/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,307/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,449/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,577/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $96,072 | $48,157 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $66,045 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $66,045 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,005 | $38,974 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,999 | $24,973 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Certificate | $51,482 | $30,164 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $48,432 | $38,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $41,937 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,945 | $27,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $40,140 | $50,549 |
The Risk Factor
50.5% of students at Alverno College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Alverno College gives you a mixed financial picture that depends almost entirely on your major. At $53,145 median earnings ten years out against $27,000 in debt, the typical graduate carries a manageable but not comfortable load, and a 50.50% graduation rate means half of enrolling students don't finish. That last number is the biggest risk here: if you borrow and leave without a degree, you get the debt without the earnings bump.
Nursing is the program that pays. At roughly $61,000, nursing graduates out-earn every other major on this list, and they do it while borrowing less than the school median. Milwaukee's hospital systems give you a steady local market for those skills, so the return is real. Business and communication land in the low $40,000s, enough to service the debt but not to build wealth quickly.
The bottom of the list should give you pause. Psychology graduates earn under $33,000 while carrying more debt than any other program at $28,638, the worst payoff-to-cost ratio at Alverno. Teacher education pays about $34,000 against $25,500 in debt. Both are common Alverno paths, and both leave you with debt payments that eat a large share of a modest salary.
The net price tiers are strange: if your family earns under $48,000, you pay about $15,900, but the $48,000-$75,000 bracket pays the most at $19,307, more than families earning over $110,000. Middle-income families get the worst deal here, so run your own aid numbers before assuming a discount.
Alverno is a good fit if you're set on nursing. If you're headed into psychology or teaching, the debt-to-earnings math is weak, and you should compare against a lower-cost public option before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alverno College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Alverno College's $16,722 annual net price is reasonable, but graduates earn $53,145 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Alverno College?
Nursing programs at Alverno College offer the strongest return on investment, with some graduates earning over $96,000. Education and business programs typically lead to lower salaries around $63,000-$66,000.
How much debt do Alverno College students graduate with?
Alverno College graduates have a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given the relatively low net price. However, this debt load may be challenging for graduates in lower-paying education programs.
Should I attend Alverno College for a nursing degree?
Yes, Alverno College's nursing programs show strong ROI with graduates earning $60,000-$96,000. The debt-to-income ratio works well for nursing careers, making this one of the school's better financial investments.