MLC vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wisconsin Lutheran College is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (1,027 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Martin Luther College is located in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Martin Luther College 10:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

MLC vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MLC 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 Martin Luther College than WLC ($18,974 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 35.5% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($7,900 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 99.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MLC (about $17,990 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.3% higher at WLC than at Martin Luther College (about $17,990 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 139.6% larger than aid received by Martin Luther College students ($24,624 vs. $10,276).

MLC vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MLC 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 MLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 70 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at MLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Martin Luther College 1078/1256; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Martin Luther College 22/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MLC - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MLC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WLC (3.54).
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at MLC vs. 20.2% at WLC.

MLC vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MLC 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($239 vs. $258).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 77%)

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.