Lakeland University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Lakeland University charges a net price of $24,212/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $96,848. Graduates earn a median $55,961 ten years after entry, $7,601/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.7 years — a 20-year net return of $55,172, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Lakeland University's 12.7-year payback ranks #892 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 30% of them, and #20 of 53 in Wisconsin.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $24,212/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $96,848 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $55,961 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $7,601/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $55,172 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Lakeland University's own numbers. Net price $24,212 × 4 years = $96,848 total. Median earnings $55,961 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $7,601 a year of premium. $96,848 ÷ $7,601 = 12.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $55,172. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Lakeland University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 45% of the $55,961 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Lakeland University students graduate?
42% finish their degree — 58% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $96,848 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $230,590 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Lakeland University expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
Its $24,212 net price runs $9,019 above the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, or $36,076 more across the full degree.