SAU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

SAU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU 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 Spring Arbor University than WLC ($21,067 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 6.6% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,440 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $2,096 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at WLC than at Spring Arbor University (about $2,096 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($24,624 vs. $23,877).

SAU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU 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 SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 30 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Wisconsin 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: SAU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WLC (3.54).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

SAU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $400 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $957 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)

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.