WLC vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stout is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

WLC vs. UW-Stout Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WLC or UW-Stout? 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 Stout than WLC ($15,673 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stout are 26.5% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($9,008 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 237.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Stout (about $25,409 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $10,701.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.4% higher at WLC than at University of Wisconsin Stout (about $16,845 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $19,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Wisconsin Stout (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 288.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students ($24,624 vs. $6,335).

WLC vs. UW-Stout Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WLC or UW-Stout? 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 UW-Stout and WLC.

• Incoming WLC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UW-Stout).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29; University of Wisconsin Stout 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WLC - Test optional; UW-Stout - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at UW-Stout (3.35).
• UW-Stout has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at WLC vs. 24.4% at UW-Stout.

WLC vs. UW-Stout Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WLC and UW-Stout? 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 University of Wisconsin Stout's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than UW-Stout graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Stout graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Stout students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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.