UWM vs. WLC

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Wisconsin Lutheran College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WLC (78.2% admitted vs 90.7%). Typical SAT 1100 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: UWM. Average net price is $16,263 vs $24,095 at WLC.
  • Graduation: UWM 40% vs WLC 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UWM $46,100 vs WLC $43,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin Lutheran College
Acceptance rate
WLC more selective
UWM90.7%
WLC78.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WLC higher
UWM-
WLC970-1230
Average net price
UWM $7,832 less
UWM$16,263
WLC$24,095
In-state tuition
UWM $25,712 less
UWM$10,398
WLC$36,110
Out-of-state tuition
UWM $13,712 less
UWM$22,398
WLC$36,110
Graduation rate
WLC +23 pts
UWM40%
WLC63%
Median earnings (10 years)
UWM +$3,100
UWM$46,100
WLC$43,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UWM 16,079
  • WLC 1,575
  • Admitted
  • UWM 14,581
  • WLC 1,231
  • Acceptance rate
  • UWM 90.7%
  • WLC 78.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UWM 23.8%
  • WLC 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UWM
  • WLC 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • UWM 21
  • WLC 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • UWM 3.16
  • WLC 3.54
  • Typical high school grades
  • UWM B+
  • WLC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UWM Very Easy
  • WLC Average
  • Applicant competition
  • UWM
  • WLC
  • SAT range
  • UWM
  • WLC 970-1230
  • ACT range
  • UWM 19-24
  • WLC 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • UWM Test optional
  • WLC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UWM Sep 1, 2026
  • WLC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UWM $10,398
  • WLC $36,110
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UWM $22,398
  • WLC $36,110
  • Room & board
  • UWM $11,684
  • WLC $12,250
  • Average net price
  • UWM $16,263
  • WLC $24,095
  • Average grant aid
  • UWM $6,347
  • WLC $24,624
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UWM 91%
  • WLC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • UWM 40%
  • WLC 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UWM $46,100
  • WLC $43,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • UWM 62%
  • WLC 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UWM $24,958
  • WLC $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • UWM $258
  • WLC $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UWM 17:1
  • WLC 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • UWM
    • Business (27%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • WLC
    • Communication (19%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • UWM Milwaukee, WI
  • WLC Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • UWM Large City
  • WLC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • UWM 22,450
  • WLC 1,027
  • Type
  • UWM Public 4 Year
  • WLC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UWM #828
  • WLC #397

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 1,027 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 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 Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 4.6% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,684 vs. $12,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 61.2% higher at WLC than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (about $13,712 more per year; $36,110 vs. $22,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 288% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($24,624 vs. $6,347).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at WLC than at UWM (26 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UWM and WLC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WLC average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at UWM (3.16).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at UWM vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $42 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($24,958 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Wisconsin Lutheran College and UWM graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
  • More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation (77% vs. 62%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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