UWM vs. WLC

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 table 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.

UWM vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWM 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 Wisconsin Milwaukee than WLC ($16,263 vs. $24,095).
• 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).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 247.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $25,712 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.2% higher at WLC than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (about $13,712 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $22,398.00).
• 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).

UWM vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWM or WLC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WLC and UWM.

• Incoming WLC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 21 at UWM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresWisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWM - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman WLC students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at UWM vs. 20.2% at WLC.

UWM vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UWM and WLC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.