IPFW vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Purdue University Fort Wayne is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (7,206 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

IPFW vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne than WLC ($14,735 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 4.7% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,669 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 278.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $26,578 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at WLC than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $13,223 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 245.1% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($24,624 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW 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 IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Fort Wayne (1100) is the same as at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at IPFW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 20.2% at WLC.

IPFW vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IPFW graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 51%)

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.