Lake Erie College
#2 Best Education Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 40% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,417 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,961 D+
- 22% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 70% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.1 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $14.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,101,331.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 24% above the national college median.
-
Graduation of 40% — 30% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $14.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lake Erie College Matters
Lake Erie College is a private university in Painesville, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. 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
- 852
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Lake Erie 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
Competitive — admits about 70% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,961 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,417 ten years after enrolling — 24% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 99% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.56 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 852 students, Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, offers a more personalized college experience that can feel like a close-knit community. This school is a good fit for those interested in practical fields such as Business & Marketing, Education, Criminal Justice, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. The 70% acceptance rate suggests that the college aims to welcome a diverse array of students, making it accessible for many who might be considering higher education.
When looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn about $50,417 a year a decade after they leave. This figure can help guide expectations for financial stability, especially considering the relatively affordable net price of $20,961 after aid. While the graduation rate sits at 40%, which may raise some questions, it also means that there's room for improvement and potential growth for those who are committed to their studies.
On the financial side, students graduate with a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable relative to their earnings potential. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and ready to engage with their chosen fields. The 37% Pell Grant rate indicates that many students receive financial assistance, which can play a crucial role in making college more affordable and accessible for families.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in Ohio
- #15 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio
- #16 Best MBA Programs in Ohio
- #17 Best Business Colleges in Ohio
- #17 Best Online Education Programs in Ohio
- #18 Best Communications Colleges in Ohio
- #23 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Ohio
- #24 Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio
Can I Get In?
How selective Lake Erie 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 Lake Erie College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Painesville, Ohio, Lake Erie College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 70%
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,902
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 1,085
- Admitted
- 587
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 Lake Erie College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Erie College is $37,634, 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 $20,961. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,195 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,634
- Out-of-State
- $37,634
- Avg Net Price
- $20,961
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 55%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,195
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,575
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,548
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,370
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 Lake Erie 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 Lake Erie College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Erie College earn a median of $50,417, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,959
- 8 Years
- $46,643
- 10 Years
- $50,417
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.52x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (79)
- 42%
- 100% (79)
- 42%
- 100% (79)
- 42%
- 100% (79)
- 42%
How Lake 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 Lake Erie College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lake Erie College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,961/year ($83,844 total). Graduates earn $50,417 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,185,175 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,101,331 (14.1× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 40% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,844
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,185,175
- Net Return
- $1,101,331
- ROI Multiple
- 14.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,961
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
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 Lake Erie College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Erie College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.07%, a more modest figure. About 9.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 0.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $104,208
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $152,521
- Investment Income
- $-6,141,140
Top Programs
The fields Lake Erie 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.
- Business & Marketing 26% $44,923 early-career
- Education 22% $41,658 early-career
- Psychology 10% $36,992 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $25,556 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $42,300 early-career
- Communications 5%
- Health Professions 2% $129,034 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
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 Lake Erie 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
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lake Erie College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Painesville, Ohio, Lake Erie College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lake Erie College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Erie College is $37,634, 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 $20,961. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,195 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Lake Erie College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Erie College earn a median of $50,417, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lake Erie College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Erie College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.07%, a more modest figure. About 9.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lake Erie 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 Lake Erie College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lake Erie College.
- Cleary UniversityHowell, MI · Close peer41% grad $54,186 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marian UniversityFond Du Lac, WI · Close peer43% grad $53,501 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA · Close peer40% grad $47,361 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Arizona Christian UniversityGlendale, AZ · Close peer41% grad $51,612 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Franklin CollegeFranklin, IN · Close peer62% grad $55,376 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Holy Cross CollegeNotre Dame, IN · Close peer50% grad $50,416 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lake Erie 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 Lake Erie College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note