Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wisconsin Lutheran College at a Glance
Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) is a private liberal arts college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It has an enrollment of about 1,100 students. The college is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
1973
53 years old
$51M
$51.2 million (2025)
1,094
1,021 undergrad · 73 grad
132
40 acres
Identity
Is Wisconsin Lutheran College Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,664 — 2% above average — while paying $23,245/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.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Wisconsin Lutheran College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wisconsin Lutheran College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #39 of 121 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 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #39 | Wisconsin Lutheran College | 37 | $23,245 | $54,664 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wisconsin Lutheran College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in WI.
Best Programs at Wisconsin Lutheran College
The highest-earning program at Wisconsin Lutheran College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $29,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Wisconsin Lutheran College earns $61,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $29,300. 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 $26,162 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,245/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 | $61,800 | $61,800 | $26,162 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,600 | $46,600 | $24,241 |
| Psychology, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
- Student Body
- 943 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,245
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,664
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000