At $21,315/yr net price, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn $54,664/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,664/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,315 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,260 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,664/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,664/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,218/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,305/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,500/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,983/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,682/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. | Bachelor | $62,111 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,869 | $23,118 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $39,009 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $31,670 | $26,495 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,984 | $26,988 |
The Risk Factor
62.7% of students at Wisconsin Lutheran College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Wisconsin Lutheran College gives you a moderate return that depends heavily on your major. The median graduate earns $54,664 ten years out against a net price around $21,000 a year and $26,000 in median debt. That works if you pick the right program, but the spread between majors here is wide enough to make or break your decision.
Nursing is the clear winner. At $62,111, a nursing degree lands you roughly $20,000 more than biology, and the Milwaukee metro has a deep base of hospital systems hiring nurses. Business at $46,869 is a safe middle path. Teacher education pays $41,937, which is the standard trade-off for education work in Wisconsin, and you carry $27,000 in debt to get there.
Biology is the risk. At $31,670, it pays less than every other program listed here while carrying $26,495 in debt. That is a debt-to-income mismatch. Biology here mostly pays off if you use it as a step toward nursing, medical, or graduate school, and the earnings figure reflects people who stopped at the bachelor's. Communication at $39,009 sits in similar territory.
The 62.7% graduation rate and 80% retention are the practical financial risk. If you don't finish, you keep the debt without the degree that justifies it, and roughly one in five freshmen don't return.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay about $14,300 a year. Above $110,000, you pay $26,682, close to a public-school-plus premium. If your family earns under $48k and you enroll in nursing, this school pays off well. If you earn over $110k and lean toward biology or communication, run the numbers hard before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wisconsin Lutheran College worth the tuition cost?
Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn a median of $54,664 ten years after graduation, which provides decent returns for the $21,315 annual net price. However, the 62.7% graduation rate means over one-third of students don't finish, creating significant financial risk without a degree.
What are the best paying majors at Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Nursing programs at Wisconsin Lutheran College offer the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning around $62,111 annually. Business majors earn about $46,869, while education majors make $41,937, and biology graduates earn significantly less at $31,670.
How much student debt do Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have?
Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates typically leave with $26,000 in student debt, which is manageable compared to the national average. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable for nursing and business graduates but may be challenging for lower-earning majors like biology.
Does Wisconsin Lutheran College have good job placement after graduation?
Wisconsin Lutheran College's 93.8% acceptance rate suggests less selective admissions, but specific job placement data isn't widely available. The nursing program likely has strong placement given healthcare demand, while other programs may face more competitive job markets.