IU Northwest vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Northwest is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

IU Northwest vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than WLC ($5,745 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 10.4% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($10,972 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 328.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $27,686 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at WLC than at Indiana University Northwest (about $13,299 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 195.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($24,624 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 50 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming WLC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 20.2% at WLC.

IU Northwest vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $30 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wisconsin Lutheran College and IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 33%)

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.