BLC vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wisconsin Lutheran College is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (1,027 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

BLC vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC 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 Bethany Lutheran College than WLC ($21,127 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 29.6% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($8,620 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $4,750 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at WLC than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $4,750 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 24% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($24,624 vs. $19,865).

BLC vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BLC 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 BLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 10 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at BLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at BLC (3.51).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 20.2% at WLC.

BLC vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC 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 Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

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.