Northwestern College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Northwestern College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College than Northwestern College ($24,095 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 11% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($10,900 vs. $12,250).
• Northwestern College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $600 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Northwestern College than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $600 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($24,624 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 10 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WLC (3.54).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Northwestern College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $92 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($258 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.