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Lawrence University vs Wisconsin Lutheran College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Appleton WI · vs · Private nonprofit, Milwaukee WI

The verdict

Lawrence University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,604 in 12.6 years versus 14.7 years at Wisconsin Lutheran College, on median earnings of $55,789 vs $54,664 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLawrence UniversityWisconsin Lutheran College
Net price / yr$23,401$23,245
Total net cost$93,604$92,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,789$54,664
Median debt$26,000$26,000
Payback12.6 yrs14.7 yrs
20-year net return$54,976$33,100

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Lawrence University or Wisconsin Lutheran College?

Wisconsin Lutheran College, at $23,245 a year after aid versus $23,401 — a gap of $156 a year, or $624 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Lawrence University or Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn more?

Lawrence University graduates report a median $55,789 ten years after entry, $1,125 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, Lawrence University or Wisconsin Lutheran College?

Completers at both borrow a median $26,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

77% of students finish at Lawrence University, against 64% at Wisconsin Lutheran 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.

Lawrence University vs Wisconsin Lutheran College: frequently asked questions

Is Lawrence University or Wisconsin Lutheran College a better value?
Lawrence University. It clears its $93,604 net cost in about 12.6 years versus 14.7 years at Wisconsin Lutheran College, on median earnings of $55,789 vs $54,664 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Lawrence University or Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Wisconsin Lutheran College: $23,245/yr net price after aid versus $23,401/yr at Lawrence University — a difference of $156 a year, or about $624 over four years.
Do Lawrence University or Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Lawrence University graduates earn a median $55,789 ten years after entry, versus $54,664 at Wisconsin Lutheran College — a $1,125 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.