At $8,579/yr net price, Lakeshore Technical College graduates earn $47,113/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,113/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,579 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $34,316 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,113/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,113/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,851/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,381/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,442/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,114/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,632/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. | Associate | $51,273 | $9,000 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $39,369 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $34,704 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $30,228 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $29,685 | $10,400 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $29,503 | $6,999 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $26,353 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $25,194 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $21,508 | $5,661 |
The Risk Factor
42.8% of students at Lakeshore Technical 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
Lakeshore Technical College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with a solid payoff for the right programs. You leave with a median debt of $7,000, one of the lowest figures you'll find anywhere, and median earnings ten years out land near $47,000. For a two-year public college, that gap between what you borrow and what you earn is the whole point, and here it works in your favor.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner. It pays over $51,000, the top earnings on this list, and even with $9,000 in debt (the highest of any program here) you recover that quickly given the salary. Precision Metal Working, a certificate, and the allied health associate degree both land around $39,000, which fits Wisconsin's manufacturing and healthcare demand. The weaker end is Health and Medical Administrative Services at roughly $30,000 and Criminal Justice at about $35,000. Those degrees still cost you the same two years, but the earnings barely clear the school's overall median, so weigh them carefully.
The main risk is finishing. The graduation rate is under 43%, so more than half of you won't complete on the expected timeline, and the debt-to-earnings math only works if you get the credential. A dropout year still costs you.
Net price shifts sharply by income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay in the $6,800 to $7,400 range. Above $75,000, that jumps to roughly $13,000. The middle-income bracket carries the biggest relative bite.
This school fits you if you want nursing, skilled trades, or allied health and plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to the administrative or corrections tracks and expect a strong salary, since those numbers don't back it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakeshore Technical College worth the cost?
With a net price of $8,579 per year and median debt of just $7,000, Lakeshore Technical College offers solid value for students who graduate. However, the 43% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly increases the cost per completed degree.
What are the highest paying programs at Lakeshore Technical College?
Nursing programs at Lakeshore Technical College provide the best financial returns, with graduates earning around $51,273 annually. Precision metalworking also pays well at $39,369, while criminal justice graduates earn a lower $34,704.
How much debt do Lakeshore Technical College graduates have?
Lakeshore Technical College graduates have a median debt of $7,000, which is relatively low for higher education. This manageable debt load makes the investment less risky compared to four-year colleges.
Do Lakeshore Technical College graduates get good jobs?
Graduates earn an average of $47,113 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable for technical college programs. The nursing and skilled trades programs tend to have better job prospects than the lower-paying administrative programs.