Madison College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Madison Area Technical College is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Madison Area Technical College is located in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Madison Area Technical College 14:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Madison College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Madison College 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 Madison Area Technical College than WLC ($13,284 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 31% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($12,250 vs. $17,760).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 625.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $31,133 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 397.7% higher at WLC than at Madison Area Technical College (about $28,855 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 319.3% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($24,624 vs. $5,872).

Madison College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Madison College 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 Madison College.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Madison College - Open admission; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Madison College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Madison College 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).

• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($13,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($134 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 46%)

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.