Loyola vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Loyola University Chicago is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Loyola vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College than Loyola ($24,095 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 28% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($12,250 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 48.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $17,600 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.7% higher at Loyola than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $17,600 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Loyola University Chicago (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 17% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($28,816 vs. $24,624).

Loyola vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola 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 Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 170 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at WLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Loyola students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at WLC (3.54).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Loyola vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola 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).

• Loyola University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College and Loyola graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wisconsin Lutheran College and Loyola 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 Loyola students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 76%)

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.