Lakeland University vs Wisconsin Lutheran College: which has better ROI?
Lakeland University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $96,848 in 12.7 years versus 14.7 years at Wisconsin Lutheran College, on median earnings of $55,961 vs $54,664 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lakeland University | Wisconsin Lutheran College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,212 | $23,245 |
| Total net cost | $96,848 | $92,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,961 | $54,664 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 12.7 yrs | 14.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $55,172 | $33,100 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lakeland University or Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Wisconsin Lutheran College, at $23,245 a year after aid versus $24,212 — a gap of $967 a year, or $3,868 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lakeland University or Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Lakeland University graduates report a median $55,961 ten years after entry, $1,297 more than the $54,664 at Wisconsin Lutheran 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, Lakeland University or Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Lakeland University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Wisconsin Lutheran College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Wisconsin Lutheran College, against 42% at Lakeland 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.