Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Lake Erie College #1087 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,183 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 40.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Lake Erie College sits in the 32.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Lake Erie College's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's pillars of return, access, and mobility. The institution's earnings profile shows meaningful differentiation from peer institutions, particularly for graduates in its business-focused programs.
Azimuth ranks Lake Erie College #1087 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Painesville, Ohio, Lake Erie College enrolls roughly 852 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 59.4% freshman retention rate and a 38.0% six-year graduation rate. Where Lake Erie College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Lake Erie College #827 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,183 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lake Erie College in the 40.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio is anchored in Business, which aligns with strong labor-market demand and contributes to solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Lake Erie College sits in the 37.7 percentile for access and the 39.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a smaller private institution, Lake Erie College serves a more selective student population, with 37.2% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 32.7% identifying as first-generation college students. The institution's mobility outcomes rank in the 11.6 percentile, reflecting meaningful upward economic movement for graduates relative to comparable institutions.
Lake Erie College's published cost of attendance is $50,790. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $20,195, middle-income families pay around $18,548, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,370. Azimuth ranks Lake Erie College #857 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry: net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,022; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at Lake Erie College's median four-year earnings of $57,903, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Lake Erie College is a good fit for students seeking a small private college experience in OH with a focus on business and related fields. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,903, placing Lake Erie College in the 32.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,183 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 40.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports students from a range of backgrounds — 37.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.7% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $22,370, and median federal debt at graduation is $26,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 70.4% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors business and related fields — students interested in these areas will find the strongest outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Lake Erie College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Lake Erie College's published cost of attendance is $50,790. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $20,195, middle-income families pay around $18,548, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,370.
Azimuth ranks Lake Erie College #857 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry: [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,022; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For the typical graduate at Lake Erie College's median four-year earnings of $57,903, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Lake Erie College earn median 4-year earnings of $57,903, placing Lake Erie College in the 32.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,183 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lake Erie College in the 40.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lake Erie College #827 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 22 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $70,067, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 18 students earning $41,284, while Psychology, General with 15 graduates earns $48,687.
These concentrations in Business and related professional disciplines align with Lake Erie College's program portfolio and support graduates into stable career pathways with measurable long-term financial outcomes.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
22 graduates
Biology, General
7 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
8 graduates
Psychology, General
15 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
18 graduates
Lake Erie College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's positioning as a career-focused private college. Business Administration is the largest program with 22 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Psychology, General, Kinesiology, and Digital Marketing.
The dominant program family, Business, accounts for a substantial share of the institution's degree output across 12 programs. The highest-earning programs at Lake Erie College lead with solid four-year outcomes.
Business Administration graduates earn median earnings of $70,067 four years after enrollment, with 22 graduates. Biology, General follows with median earnings of $57,506 and 7 graduates, while Criminal Justice delivers median earnings of $49,426.
These programs reflect the institution's strength in applied professional fields where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect regional and national labor-market outcomes. The program portfolio emphasizes career readiness and employer alignment in fields like Business and related professional disciplines.
This concentration supports direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings capture meaningful early-career outcomes. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Lake Erie College's dominant program families align with labor-market demand in Ohio and the broader Midwest.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Huntington University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29998 ranked) | IN | 76% | $46,672 | #29998 | Compare |
Westmont College Similar quality tier (#29480 ranked) | CA | 77% | $64,778 | #29480 | Compare |
Upper Iowa University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29478 ranked) | IA | 96% | $52,766 | #29478 | Compare |
John Brown University Similar quality tier (#30518 ranked) | AR | 76% | $53,907 | #30518 | Compare |
Rocky Mountain College Similar quality tier (#29477 ranked) | MT | 70% | $49,036 | #29477 | Compare |
