BSU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Ball 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: Ball State University 14:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

BSU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU 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 Ball State University than WLC ($13,599 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 0.7% lower than at Ball State University ($12,250 vs. $12,334).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 225.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $25,028 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at WLC than at Ball State University (about $6,480 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 86.3% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($24,624 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU 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 BSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 70 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

BSU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU 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 Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $500 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College and BSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wisconsin Lutheran College and BSU 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 BSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 63%)

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.