Students at Wisconsin Lutheran College achieve above-average earnings that reflect the value of personalized education and focused career preparation in a small college setting.
Graduates consistently reach competitive salary levels that justify the investment in private education, particularly in high-demand fields like nursing and business.
Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private nonprofit institution in Milwaukee that delivers solid long-term value for students seeking personalized education with strong career outcomes. While the college serves a more selective student population with about 25% receiving Pell Grants and 29% being first-generation students, it consistently helps graduates achieve earnings that place it in the 61st percentile nationally for return on investment.
The college's strength lies in its focused approach to career preparation, particularly in business administration, nursing, and education fields. Graduates earn a median of $54,664 ten years after enrollment, which represents competitive outcomes for a small private institution. The college's nursing program stands out with graduates earning around $62,111, while business administration remains the largest program with 75 graduates achieving solid mid-career earnings.
As a small Lutheran college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College offers the intimate campus experience that many students seek while maintaining practical focus on career readiness. The institution balances its religious mission with strong professional preparation, making it an attractive option for students who want both personal growth and financial security after graduation.
Wisconsin Lutheran College's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on career-ready fields that align well with regional employment opportunities. Business Administration and Management stands as the college's flagship program, graduating 75 students who earn a median of $46,869 in their early careers. This program provides the broad foundation that many students seek, preparing them for diverse roles across Milwaukee's business community and beyond.
The college's nursing program, while smaller with 23 graduates, delivers exceptional value with early-career earnings around $62,111. Adult Health Nursing represents one of the highest-earning pathways available at the college, reflecting both the strong demand for qualified nurses and the program's effectiveness in preparing students for immediate career success. This program exemplifies the college's ability to provide specialized professional training within its small-college environment.
Education programs, including Adult and Continuing Education, demonstrate the college's commitment to preparing teachers and educational leaders for Wisconsin communities. With graduates earning approximately $41,937, these programs provide solid middle-class career foundations while serving the important social mission of educating future generations. The college's Lutheran heritage aligns naturally with its strong emphasis on service-oriented careers in education and healthcare.
Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the institution's focus on practical career preparation. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $54,664, placing the college in the 61st percentile nationally for return on investment. This performance demonstrates the value of the college's small-scale, personalized approach to education, where students receive individual attention that translates into career success.
The college's program mix drives these strong outcomes, with nursing leading in earnings potential and business administration providing the broadest career foundation. Adult Health Nursing graduates earn approximately $62,111 in their early careers, reflecting the high demand for qualified nurses in Milwaukee's healthcare market. Business Administration and Management, the college's largest program with 75 graduates, produces median earnings of $46,869, providing solid returns for students entering diverse business careers. Adult and Continuing Education graduates earn around $41,937, serving the important educational needs of the community.
The college's Milwaukee location provides graduates access to a diverse metropolitan job market, with opportunities spanning healthcare, business services, manufacturing, and education. Students benefit from internship opportunities and employer connections throughout the greater Milwaukee area, which helps explain why graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed what might be expected from a small private college.
Wisconsin Lutheran College maintains reasonable affordability across income levels, with net prices that reflect its private college positioning while remaining accessible to middle-class families. Low-income students pay approximately $14,218 annually, middle-income families see costs around $17,500, and higher-income families pay about $26,682 per year. These price points place the college in the 44th percentile nationally for affordability, representing typical private college pricing with meaningful financial aid support.
The college's financial aid approach helps make the private college experience accessible to a broader range of students. With about 25% of students receiving Pell Grants, the institution demonstrates commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds. The aid structure appears designed to bridge the gap between public university costs and premium private college pricing, allowing families to access the benefits of small class sizes and personalized attention without prohibitive expense.
Debt levels reflect the college's private status but remain within manageable ranges for most graduates. The combination of reasonable net prices and solid post-graduation earnings creates a sustainable financial model for students who value the small college experience and are willing to invest in the personalized education that Wisconsin Lutheran College provides.
Wisconsin Lutheran College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
