IWU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (2,204 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IWU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 Wesleyan University Marion than WLC ($23,402 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 11.3% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($10,868 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $3,758 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at WLC than at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (about $3,758 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 15% larger than aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students ($24,624 vs. $21,405).

IWU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 30 points higher than at IWU (1070).
• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WLC (3.54).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

IWU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $896 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($24,104 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($249 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 55%)

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.