WLC vs. Wisconsin

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

Wisconsin Lutheran College
University of Wisconsin Madison

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wisconsin (45.2% admitted vs 78.2%). Typical SAT 1450 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wisconsin. Average net price is $14,235 vs $24,095 at WLC.
  • Graduation: WLC 63% vs Wisconsin 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WLC $43,000 vs Wisconsin $64,800 (median).
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Key differences

Wisconsin Lutheran College University of Wisconsin Madison
Acceptance rate
Wisconsin more selective
WLC78.2%
Wisconsin45.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wisconsin higher
WLC970-1230
Wisconsin1380-1520
Average net price
Wisconsin $9,860 less
WLC$24,095
Wisconsin$14,235
In-state tuition
Wisconsin $24,507 less
WLC$36,110
Wisconsin$11,603
Out-of-state tuition
WLC $5,993 less
WLC$36,110
Wisconsin$42,103
Graduation rate
Wisconsin +19 pts
WLC63%
Wisconsin82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wisconsin +$21,800
WLC$43,000
Wisconsin$64,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WLC 1,575
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • WLC 1,231
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance rate
  • WLC 78.2%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WLC 20.2%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WLC 1100
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • WLC 26
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • WLC 3.54
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • WLC A-
  • Wisconsin A
  • Admissions standards
  • WLC Average
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • WLC
  • Wisconsin Low
  • SAT range
  • WLC 970-1230
  • Wisconsin 1380-1520
  • ACT range
  • WLC 23-29
  • Wisconsin 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • WLC Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WLC
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WLC $36,110
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WLC $36,110
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & board
  • WLC $12,250
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average net price
  • WLC $24,095
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average grant aid
  • WLC $24,624
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WLC 100%
  • Wisconsin 35%
  • Graduation rate
  • WLC 63%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WLC $43,000
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • WLC 77%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WLC $25,000
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median loan payment
  • WLC $258
  • Wisconsin $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WLC 11:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • WLC
    • Communication (19%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • WLC Milwaukee, WI
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • WLC Large City
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • WLC 1,027
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • WLC Private 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WLC #397
  • Wisconsin #109

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 1,027 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wisconsin Lutheran College is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 13.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($12,250 vs. $14,124).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at Wisconsin than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $5,993 more per year; $42,103 vs. $36,110).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 38.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($24,624 vs. $17,741).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Wisconsin than at WLC (31 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WLC and Wisconsin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wisconsin average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.34 higher than at WLC (3.54).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at WLC vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($22,250 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($230 vs. $258).
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 77%).

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

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