GVSU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Grand Valley 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: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

GVSU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU 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 Grand Valley State University than WLC ($17,198 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 5.7% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,550 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 138.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $20,970 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.6% higher at WLC than at Grand Valley State University (about $14,562 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 120.1% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($24,624 vs. $11,188).

GVSU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GVSU 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 GVSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 30 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU 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: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at WLC (3.54).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

GVSU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU 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).

• The graduation rate at GVSU is the same as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College and GVSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wisconsin Lutheran College and GVSU 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 GVSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

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.