At $22,092/yr net price, Lakeland University graduates earn $55,961/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,961/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,092 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,368 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,961/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,961/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,150/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,083/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,130/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,082/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,389/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $60,689 | $36,321 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $55,964 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $55,625 | $22,362 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $45,207 | $25,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $44,091 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,207 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $40,305 | $59,217 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $39,909 | $43,156 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,490 |
The Risk Factor
55.7% of students at Lakeland University 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
Lakeland University gives you a middling financial return. Your median earnings ten years out land close to $56,000, and your median debt of $25,000 stays below that first-year salary figure, so the debt load is manageable if you finish. The problem is finishing. A 66.5% retention rate means one in three of you does not return after freshman year, and only 55.7% graduate. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, and the odds of that are real at this school.
The programs split sharply. Health and Medical Administrative Services and Computer and Information Sciences both clear $55,000 and carry the strongest payoff, with computing pairing high earnings with lower debt than average. Business, marketing, and accounting all cluster around $43,000 to $45,000 while carrying the full $25,000 debt load. Picking accounting or marketing over computing costs you roughly $10,000 a year in earnings for the same debt. That gap should shape your choice of major more than anything else at this school.
The net price tiers are strange. If your family earns $48,000 to $75,000, you pay about $14,130, less than families earning under $30,000, who pay $17,150. Families in the $75,000 to $110,000 range pay over $24,000, and above $110,000 you pay $27,389. The middle-income discount is unusually good. the upper-middle tier is not.
Lakeland fits you if you enroll in computing or health administration, expect to graduate, and land in that favorable middle-income price band. Look elsewhere if you plan a general business or marketing degree while paying the top-tier price, because you would carry full debt for below-average earnings. Given the retention numbers, only commit if you are confident you will finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakeland University worth the cost?
Lakeland University's graduates earn $55,961 ten years after graduation, which is modest for a $22,092 annual net price. With only a 56% graduation rate and $25,000 median debt, the financial return is weak compared to similar schools.
What are the best paying majors at Lakeland University?
Business Administration leads at $60,689 in post-graduation earnings, followed by Health and Medical Administrative Services at $55,964. Accounting and Marketing majors earn significantly less at $45,207 and $44,091 respectively.
How much debt do Lakeland University students graduate with?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable but concerning given the school's low 56% graduation rate. Nearly half of students don't finish their degree, meaning they face debt without the earning boost of a completed program.
Does Lakeland University have good financial aid?
The net price of $22,092 suggests decent financial aid since the sticker price is higher. However, with a 99% acceptance rate, the school admits almost everyone, which often correlates with less selective aid distribution.