Viterbo University
#1 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,660 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $21,260 D+
- 24% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.8 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $12.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,006,016.
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 36% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Viterbo University Matters
Viterbo University is a private university in La Crosse, WI 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
- 1,249
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Viterbo University
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 72% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,260 a year after grants and scholarships — 24% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,660 ten years after enrolling — 36% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 88% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Viterbo University, you'll find a welcoming environment, especially for those interested in fields like Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, and the Arts. With an acceptance rate of 72%, it’s a school that embraces a diverse range of students. The community here is supportive, making it a good fit for individuals who thrive in collaborative settings and are looking for a balance between academic rigor and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $55,660 within a decade of leaving Viterbo. This figure highlights the potential for upward mobility, particularly for those who enter high-demand fields like health and education. Affordability plays a crucial role in this journey, as many students benefit from financial aid, which can ease the burden of college expenses. It’s encouraging to see that, despite the financial challenges, graduates can find stable careers that support their financial well-being.
When considering the financial aspects, the average net price after aid is $21,260, and the median debt stands at $25,000. This level of debt is relatively manageable for graduates entering the job market in their chosen fields. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are proactive, engaged with their studies, and ready to connect with their peers and faculty. In this nurturing environment, it’s possible to pave a successful path forward without being overwhelmed by financial strain.
Rankings
- #1 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
- #5 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #8 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #10 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- #10 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #10 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
- #11 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective Viterbo University 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 Viterbo University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Viterbo University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1190
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- ACT Range
- 22–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,309
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.35
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 1,401
- Admitted
- 1,014
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Viterbo University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 15% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 15%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 2%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 41%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 43% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
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 Viterbo University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Viterbo University is $34,250, 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 $21,260. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,657 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,250
- Out-of-State
- $34,250
- Avg Net Price
- $21,260
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 58%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,657
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,927
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,463
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,365
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 Viterbo University — 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 Viterbo University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Viterbo University earn a median of $55,660, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $56,804
- 8 Years
- $57,601
- 10 Years
- $55,660
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (162)
- 52%
- 100% (162)
- 52%
- 100% (162)
- 52%
- 100% (162)
- 52%
How Viterbo 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 Viterbo University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Viterbo University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,260/year ($85,040 total). Graduates earn $55,660 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,091,056 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,006,016 (12.8× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $85,040
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,091,056
- Net Return
- $1,006,016
- ROI Multiple
- 12.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,260
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
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 Viterbo University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Viterbo University 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 0.80%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $78,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.80%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $106,246
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,052,728
- Investment Income
- $-7,396,080
Top Programs
The fields Viterbo University 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.
- Health Professions 36% $77,294 early-career
- Business & Marketing 16% $64,545 early-career
- Education 14% $43,782 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 8% $21,864 early-career
- Psychology 5% $31,958 early-career
- Humanities 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Engineering 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 Viterbo University'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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Viterbo University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Viterbo University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Viterbo University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Viterbo University is $34,250, 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 $21,260. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,657 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Viterbo University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Viterbo University earn a median of $55,660, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Viterbo University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Viterbo University 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 0.80%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $78,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Viterbo University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Viterbo University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Viterbo University offer Early Decision?
No. Viterbo University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Viterbo University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 43% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Viterbo University (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Viterbo University?
About 15% of admitted students choose to enroll at Viterbo University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Viterbo University.
- Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer65% grad $55,031 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield, OH · Close peer53% grad $54,947 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA · Close peer67% grad $53,460 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Franklin CollegeFranklin, IN · Close peer62% grad $55,376 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL · Close peer68% grad $54,820 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Capital UniversityColumbus, OH · Close peer63% grad $54,143 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Viterbo University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Viterbo University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note