Alverno College
Alverno College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Alverno College at a Glance
Alverno College is a private Catholic women's college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States.
1887
139 years old
$42M
$41.6 million
1,322
673 undergrad · 649 grad
79
47 acres
Identity
Is Alverno College Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Alverno College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,145 — 1% below average — while paying $22,540/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Alverno College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Alverno College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #48 of 102 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #5 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #48 | Alverno College | 29 | $22,540 | $53,145 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Alverno College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in WI.
Best Programs at Alverno College
The highest-earning program at Alverno College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $29,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Alverno College earns $59,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $29,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $28,889 in median debt vs. $31,062 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,540/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,900 | $59,900 | $28,889 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,400 | $38,400 | $30,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,900 | $34,900 | $34,937 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,500 | $30,500 | $36,089 |
| Biology, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $32,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $31,062 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
- Student Body
- 631 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,540
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,145
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000