ISU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Illinois 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: Illinois State University 19:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

ISU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 State University than WLC ($21,369 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 4% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,754 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 123.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $19,966 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at WLC than at Illinois State University (about $7,900 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 89.8% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($24,624 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is the same as at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

ISU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU 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.