Saint Benedict vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Saint Benedict is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (1,429 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Saint Benedict is located in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Saint Benedict 11:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Saint Benedict vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Benedict or WLC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wisconsin Lutheran College than Saint Benedict ($24,095 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 2.4% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($12,250 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 54.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $19,646 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.4% higher at Saint Benedict than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $19,646 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 62.6% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($40,048 vs. $24,624).

Saint Benedict vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Benedict or WLC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WLC and Saint Benedict.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 40 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Saint Benedict).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 20/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Benedict - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WLC (3.54).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Saint Benedict vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Saint Benedict vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Benedict and WLC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $1,343 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($258 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.