Head-to-head comparison
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs Wisconsin Lutheran College: which has better ROI?
Option A Green Bay, WI
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- Net price / year
- $13,369
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,528
- Payback
- 12.8 yrs
Option B Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin Lutheran College
- Net price / year
- $23,245
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,664
- Payback
- 14.7 yrs
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,476 in 12.8 years versus 14.7 years at Wisconsin Lutheran College, on median earnings of $52,528 vs $54,664 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Wisconsin Lutheran College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,369 | $23,245 |
| Total net cost | $53,476 | $92,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,528 | $54,664 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 12.8 yrs | 14.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $29,884 | $33,100 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or Wisconsin Lutheran College?
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, at $13,369 a year after aid versus $23,245 — a gap of $9,876 a year, or $39,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates report a median $54,664 ten years after entry, $2,136 more than the $52,528 at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or Wisconsin Lutheran College?
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Wisconsin Lutheran College, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Wisconsin Lutheran College, against 48% at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.