Illinois College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL 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 Illinois College based on total student enrollment (1,027 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 Illinois College than WLC ($17,375 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 1.8% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($12,026 vs. $12,250).
• Illinois College is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $2,566 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Illinois College than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $2,566 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 28.4% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($31,609 vs. $24,624).

Illinois College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 70 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming WLC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at WLC (3.54).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Illinois College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 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 Illinois College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.