Marian University vs Wisconsin Lutheran College: which has better ROI?
Wisconsin Lutheran College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $92,980 in 14.7 years versus 17.1 years at Marian University, on median earnings of $54,664 vs $53,501 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Marian University | Wisconsin Lutheran College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,937 | $23,245 |
| Total net cost | $87,748 | $92,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,501 | $54,664 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 17.1 yrs | 14.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $15,072 | $33,100 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Marian University or Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Marian University, at $21,937 a year after aid versus $23,245 — a gap of $1,308 a year, or $5,232 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Marian University or Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates report a median $54,664 ten years after entry, $1,163 more than the $53,501 at Marian 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, Marian University or Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Marian 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 44% at Marian 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.