IU South Bend vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University South Bend in South Bend, IN with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University South Bend is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (4,631 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University South Bend is located in South Bend, IN (Midsize City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Indiana University South Bend is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University South Bend 15:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

IU South Bend vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend 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 Indiana University South Bend than WLC ($9,003 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 16.9% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($10,184 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 328.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (about $27,686 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at WLC than at Indiana University South Bend (about $13,299 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Indiana University South Bend (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 194.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($24,624 vs. $8,371).

IU South Bend vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend 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 IU South Bend.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 30 points higher than at IU South Bend (1070).
• Incoming WLC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at IU South Bend).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 950/1190; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 21/23; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU South Bend - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at IU South Bend vs. 20.2% at WLC.

IU South Bend vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU South Bend 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).

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Indiana University South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University South Bend graduates have a $470 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($24,530 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IU South Bend graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 47%)

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.