Concordia University-Wisconsin vs Alverno College: which has better ROI?
Concordia University-Wisconsin has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $144,804 in 18.8 years versus 18.8 years at Alverno College, on median earnings of $56,075 vs $53,145 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Concordia University-Wisconsin | Alverno College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,201 | $22,540 |
| Total net cost | $144,804 | $90,160 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,075 | $53,145 |
| Median debt | $25,750 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 18.8 yrs | 18.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $9,496 | $5,540 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Wisconsin or Alverno College?
Alverno College, at $22,540 a year after aid versus $36,201 — a gap of $13,661 a year, or $54,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Concordia University-Wisconsin or Alverno College graduates earn more?
Concordia University-Wisconsin graduates report a median $56,075 ten years after entry, $2,930 more than the $53,145 at Alverno College. 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, Concordia University-Wisconsin or Alverno College?
Concordia University-Wisconsin: its completers carry a median $25,750 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Alverno College, a difference of $1,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Concordia University-Wisconsin, against 49% at Alverno College. 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.