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Viterbo University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · La Crosse, WI · 1,249 students

The verdict

Viterbo University charges a net price of $21,260/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $85,040. Graduates earn a median $55,660 ten years after entry, $7,300/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 11.6 years — a 20-year net return of $60,960, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Viterbo University's 11.6-year payback ranks #853 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 33% of them, and #16 of 53 in Wisconsin.

Better ROI than 33% of US colleges#853 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$21,260
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$55,660
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
11.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
72%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Viterbo University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$21,260/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$85,040our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$55,660Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$7,300/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback11.6 yrsour math
20-year net return$60,960our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Viterbo University: frequently asked questions

Is Viterbo University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Viterbo University charges $21,260/yr after aid ($85,040 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $55,660 ten years out — $7,300/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 11.6 years and returns $60,960 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Viterbo University degree take to pay off?
About 11.6 years. We divide the $85,040 four-year net cost by the $7,300/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Viterbo University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $21,260/yr — about $85,040 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Viterbo University compare to other Wisconsin colleges?
It ranks #16 of 53 Wisconsin colleges we track by payback. Its $55,660 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $21,260 net price is above the national median of $16,906.