Alverno College
#1 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,145 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,540 D+
- 32% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,002,586.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 30% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.66% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Alverno College Matters
Alverno College is a private university in Milwaukee, WI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 631
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 30
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Alverno College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 86% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,540 a year after grants and scholarships — 32% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,145 ten years after enrolling — 30% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 14% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.51 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Alverno College is a solid choice for students interested in Health Professions, Humanities, Education, Business & Marketing, and Biology & Biomedical fields. With an acceptance rate of 86%, it's accessible to a wide range of applicants. The college's size also facilitates a close-knit community where students can receive personalized attention from faculty, making it a great fit for those who thrive in supportive environments.
Graduates from Alverno can expect to earn an average of $53,145 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects a promising return on investment, especially considering the affordability of the education here. While the graduation rate stands at 50%, many students find paths to success in various fields, indicating that those who engage actively with their studies and resources generally move upward after graduation.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after aid is about $22,540, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $27,000, students should consider how this aligns with their career goals. Alverno tends to attract students who are motivated and engaged in their education, making it a place where individuals looking to build a meaningful career can really thrive.
Rankings
- #1 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #9 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
- #10 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #14 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- #14 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #21 Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
- #23 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
- #26 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective Alverno College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Alverno College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Alverno College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 61%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 26%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,282
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 44%
- Applicants
- 652
- Admitted
- 586
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Alverno College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Alverno College is $34,086, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,540. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,032 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,086
- Out-of-State
- $34,086
- Avg Net Price
- $22,540
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,032
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,668
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,261
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,051
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Alverno College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Alverno College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Alverno College earn a median of $53,145, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,755
- 8 Years
- $51,158
- 10 Years
- $53,145
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.51x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (41)
- 22%
- 100% (41)
- 22%
- 100% (41)
- 22%
- 100% (41)
- 22%
How Alverno Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Alverno College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Alverno College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,540/year ($90,160 total). Graduates earn $53,145 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,092,746 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,002,586 (12.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $90,160
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,092,746
- Net Return
- $1,002,586
- ROI Multiple
- 12.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,540
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Alverno College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Alverno College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.66%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.66%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 15.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $89,127
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,194,836
- Investment Income
- $-6,122,462
Top Programs
The fields Alverno College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 29% $40,390 early-career
- Health Professions 21% $72,479 early-career
- Humanities 12%
- Business & Marketing 12% $48,651 early-career
- Psychology 9% $39,121 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $36,992 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Social Sciences 2% $38,057 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Alverno College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Alverno College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Alverno College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Alverno College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Alverno College is $34,086, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,540. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,032 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Alverno College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Alverno College earn a median of $53,145, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Alverno College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Alverno College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.66%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Alverno College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Alverno College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Alverno College.
- Southwestern Adventist UniversityKeene, TX · Close peer47% grad $52,946 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Holy Cross CollegeNotre Dame, IN · Close peer50% grad $50,416 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Dakota Wesleyan UniversityMitchell, SD · Close peer47% grad $53,728 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Spring Hill CollegeMobile, AL · Close peer54% grad $51,500 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Elizabeth UniversityMorristown, NJ · Close peer46% grad $53,038 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologyHarrisburg, PA · Close peer39% grad $52,374 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Alverno College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Alverno College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note