Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Lakeland University #1061 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,880 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lakeland University in the 80.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lakeland University #424 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Lakeland University #1061 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Plymouth, WI, Lakeland University enrolls roughly 1,212 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 63.3% freshman retention rate and a 42.4% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Lakeland University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Lakeland University #424 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $66,716. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant field — aligns with strong early-career earnings outcomes that support long-term financial payoff for graduates. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Lakeland University sits in the 10.4 percentile for access and the 36.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 25.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 43.6% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful economic diversity. Mobility outcomes sit in the 9.7 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's access-to-outcome pipeline remains a secondary strength relative to return on investment.
Lakeland University's published cost of attendance is $48,840. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $22,453, middle-income families pay around $20,124, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,054. Azimuth ranks Lakeland University #902 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Lakeland University's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and private loan options. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's financial aid commitment, though families should understand that net price and sticker price can differ substantially — the net price figures above account for grants and scholarships, while the sticker price does not. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,268; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $66,716, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Lakeland University is a good fit for students seeking a private, career-oriented education in WI with a strong focus on Business programs — which represent 65% of graduates — and who value smaller class sizes typical of regional private institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $66,716, placing Lakeland University in the 70.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Lakeland University sits in the 80.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution serves a modest share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 25.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 43.6% are first-generation — with a 44.0% Pell graduation rate that reflects typical outcomes for similar institutions in Midwest. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 86.3% admit rate makes access moderately selective, and the program mix favors applied fields over research-intensive disciplines. Students whose interests align with Business and related career pathways 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
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Lakeland University 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.
Lakeland University's published cost of attendance is $48,840. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $22,453, middle-income families pay around $20,124, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,054.
Azimuth ranks Lakeland University #902 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Lakeland University's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and private loan options. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's financial aid commitment, though families should understand that [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) — the net price figures above account for grants and scholarships, while the sticker price does not.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,268; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $66,716, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 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 Lakeland University earn median 4-year earnings of $66,716, placing Lakeland University in the 70.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,880 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lakeland University in the 80.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lakeland University #424 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Lakeland University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 166 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $66,108, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Accounting program graduates 88 students with median 4-year earnings of $66,815, while Artificial Intelligence delivers median 4-year earnings of $96,835 across 42 graduates.
Psychology, General and Digital Marketing round out the institution's core program portfolio, with graduates earning $53,448 and $59,513 respectively four years after enrollment. This program mix — anchored in Business — drives consistent outcomes aligned with employer demand in regional and national labor markets.
Computer and Information Sciences, General
42 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
88 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
166 graduates
Marketing
20 graduates
Criminology
15 graduates
Lakeland University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's applied, career-focused identity as a private liberal arts university. Business Administration is the largest program with 166 graduates, followed by Accounting, Artificial Intelligence, Psychology, General, and Digital Marketing.
Across 14 total programs serving roughly 445 students annually, the institution concentrates its academic portfolio in Business and related professional disciplines. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and management fields.
Artificial Intelligence leads with median earnings of $96,835 four years after enrollment, followed by Accounting at $66,815, Business Administration at $66,108, Digital Marketing at $59,513, and Criminology at $55,265. This pattern reflects Lakeland University's positioning as a career-preparation institution where graduates move directly into workforce roles in accounting, management, and related professional services.
The concentration in Business and applied professional fields aligns with regional labor-market demand in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest, where stable employment in business services, finance, and management remains consistent. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with broader workforce trends and hiring patterns across the region.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grace Christian University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29334 ranked) | MI | 99% | $41,663 | #29334 | Compare |
Rust College Similar quality tier (#29333 ranked) | MS | 49% | $32,275 | #29333 | Compare |
Muhlenberg College Similar quality tier (#29336 ranked) | PA | 72% | $69,107 | #29336 | Compare |
Bushnell University Similar quality tier (#29332 ranked) | OR | 67% | $53,623 | #29332 | Compare |
Northwood University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29331 ranked) | MI | 65% | $63,075 | #29331 | Compare |
