WSU vs. WLC

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

Wayne State University
Wisconsin Lutheran College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WLC (78.2% admitted vs 81.2%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: WSU. Average net price is $14,416 vs $24,095 at WLC.
  • Graduation: WSU 26% vs WLC 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WSU $51,000 vs WLC $43,000 (median).
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Key differences

Wayne State University Wisconsin Lutheran College
Acceptance rate
WLC more selective
WSU81.2%
WLC78.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WSU higher
WSU1060-1270
WLC970-1230
Average net price
WSU $9,679 less
WSU$14,416
WLC$24,095
In-state tuition
WSU $20,920 less
WSU$15,190
WLC$36,110
Out-of-state tuition
WSU $4,073 less
WSU$32,037
WLC$36,110
Graduation rate
WLC +37 pts
WSU26%
WLC63%
Median earnings (10 years)
WSU +$8,000
WSU$51,000
WLC$43,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WSU 16,981
  • WLC 1,575
  • Admitted
  • WSU 13,781
  • WLC 1,231
  • Acceptance rate
  • WSU 81.2%
  • WLC 78.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WSU 22.4%
  • WLC 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WSU 1170
  • WLC 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • WSU 26
  • WLC 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • WSU 3.42
  • WLC 3.54
  • Typical high school grades
  • WSU B+
  • WLC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WSU Challenging
  • WLC Average
  • Applicant competition
  • WSU
  • WLC
  • SAT range
  • WSU 1060-1270
  • WLC 970-1230
  • ACT range
  • WSU 23-29
  • WLC 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • WSU Test optional
  • WLC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WSU Aug 1, 2027
  • WLC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WSU $15,190
  • WLC $36,110
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WSU $32,037
  • WLC $36,110
  • Room & board
  • WSU $14,252
  • WLC $12,250
  • Average net price
  • WSU $14,416
  • WLC $24,095
  • Average grant aid
  • WSU $12,953
  • WLC $24,624
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WSU 98%
  • WLC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WSU 26%
  • WLC 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WSU $51,000
  • WLC $43,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • WSU 38%
  • WLC 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WSU $22,258
  • WLC $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WSU $230
  • WLC $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WSU 14:1
  • WLC 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • WSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • WLC
    • Communication (19%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • WSU Detroit, MI
  • WLC Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • WSU Large City
  • WLC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • WSU 23,803
  • WLC 1,027
  • Type
  • WSU Public 4 Year
  • WLC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WSU #551
  • WLC #397

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,027 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 14% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,250 vs. $14,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at WLC than at Wayne State University (about $4,073 more per year; $36,110 vs. $32,037).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 90.1% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($24,624 vs. $12,953).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WSU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 26) as students at WLC (26).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WSU and WLC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WLC average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at WSU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($230 vs. $258).
  • More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation (77% vs. 38%).

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

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