Capella University vs Martin Luther College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Martin Luther College comes closer — median earnings $47,491 against a $73,852 total, vs $42,189 at Capella University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Capella University | Martin Luther College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,956 | $18,463 |
| Total net cost | $71,824 | $73,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,189 | $47,491 |
| Median debt | $14,968 | $20,177 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$195,244 | -$91,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Capella University or Martin Luther College?
Capella University, at $17,956 a year after aid versus $18,463 — a gap of $507 a year, or $2,028 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Capella University or Martin Luther College graduates earn more?
Martin Luther College graduates report a median $47,491 ten years after entry, $5,302 more than the $42,189 at Capella University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Capella University or Martin Luther College?
Capella University: its completers carry a median $14,968 in federal loans versus $20,177 at Martin Luther College, a difference of $5,209. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Martin Luther College, against 20% at Capella University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.