BSU vs. WLC

Ball State University and Wisconsin Lutheran College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Ball State University
Wisconsin Lutheran College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WLC (78.2% admitted vs 85.5%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: BSU. Average net price is $13,599 vs $24,095 at WLC.
  • Graduation: BSU 55% vs WLC 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BSU $42,500 vs WLC $43,000 (median).
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Key differences

Ball State University Wisconsin Lutheran College
Acceptance rate
WLC more selective
BSU85.5%
WLC78.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BSU higher
BSU1080-1260
WLC970-1230
Average net price
BSU $10,496 less
BSU$13,599
WLC$24,095
In-state tuition
BSU $25,028 less
BSU$11,082
WLC$36,110
Out-of-state tuition
BSU $6,480 less
BSU$29,630
WLC$36,110
Graduation rate
WLC +8 pts
BSU55%
WLC63%
Median earnings (10 years)
WLC +$500
BSU$42,500
WLC$43,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BSU 21,093
  • WLC 1,575
  • Admitted
  • BSU 18,034
  • WLC 1,231
  • Acceptance rate
  • BSU 85.5%
  • WLC 78.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BSU 20.4%
  • WLC 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BSU 1170
  • WLC 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • BSU 22
  • WLC 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • BSU 3.52
  • WLC 3.54
  • Typical high school grades
  • BSU A-
  • WLC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BSU Moderate
  • WLC Average
  • Applicant competition
  • BSU
  • WLC
  • SAT range
  • BSU 1080-1260
  • WLC 970-1230
  • ACT range
  • BSU 20-24
  • WLC 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • BSU Test optional
  • WLC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BSU
  • WLC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BSU $11,082
  • WLC $36,110
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BSU $29,630
  • WLC $36,110
  • Room & board
  • BSU $12,334
  • WLC $12,250
  • Average net price
  • BSU $13,599
  • WLC $24,095
  • Average grant aid
  • BSU $13,218
  • WLC $24,624
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BSU 77%
  • WLC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • BSU 55%
  • WLC 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BSU $42,500
  • WLC $43,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • BSU 63%
  • WLC 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BSU $25,000
  • WLC $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BSU $258
  • WLC $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BSU 14:1
  • WLC 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • BSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • WLC
    • Communication (19%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • BSU Muncie, IN
  • WLC Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • BSU Small City
  • WLC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • BSU 21,089
  • WLC 1,027
  • Type
  • BSU Public 4 Year
  • WLC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BSU #630
  • WLC #397

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Ball State University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 1,027 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 0.7% lower than at Ball State University ($12,250 vs. $12,334).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at WLC than at Ball State University (about $6,480 more per year; $36,110 vs. $29,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 86.3% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($24,624 vs. $13,218).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at WLC than at BSU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BSU and WLC.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WLC average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at BSU (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College and BSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Wisconsin Lutheran College and BSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
  • More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation (77% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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