University of Illinois Springfield vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, IL with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Springfield is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (4,628 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Springfield is located in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Springfield 13:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield than WLC ($10,809 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Springfield are 0.1% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($12,242 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 194.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Illinois Springfield (about $23,858 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $12,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64% higher at WLC than at University of Illinois Springfield (about $14,093 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $22,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Illinois Springfield (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 67.9% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students ($24,624 vs. $14,666).

University of Illinois Springfield vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 30 points higher than at University of Illinois Springfield (1070).
• Incoming WLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at University of Illinois Springfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 21/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at University of Illinois Springfield (3.46).
• University of Illinois Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield vs. 20.2% at WLC.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $6,207 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($18,793 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($194 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Illinois Springfield students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 59%)

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.