Cornell College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell College is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (1,094 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Cornell College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College than Cornell College ($24,095 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 3.3% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,850 vs. $12,250).
• Cornell College is 45.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $16,550 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.8% higher at Cornell College than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $16,550 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 66.9% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($41,092 vs. $24,624).

Cornell College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College 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 Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 100 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming Cornell College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at WLC (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Cornell College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

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.