UIU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Upper Iowa University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

UIU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU 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 Upper Iowa University than WLC ($20,426 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 17.4% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($10,121 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 85.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $16,635 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.4% higher at WLC than at Upper Iowa University (about $16,635 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Upper Iowa University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 81.1% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($24,624 vs. $13,596).

UIU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU 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 UIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 30 points higher than at UIU (1070).
• Incoming WLC students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 14/21; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at UIU (3.34).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

UIU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIU 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 Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $900 more per year than UIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UIU 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 UIU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 50%)

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.