Michigan State vs. WLC

Should I go to Michigan State University or Wisconsin Lutheran College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan State or WLC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Michigan WSU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU ISU Oakland UM-Dearborn UIC Purdue
Michigan State University vs. Wisconsin Lutheran College comparison
Michigan State University Wisconsin Lutheran College College 3 College 4
Michigan State University Wisconsin Lutheran College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Michigan State WLC
Location East Lansing, MI Milwaukee, WI
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 51,316 1,094
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #227 #417
Religious Affiliation - Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website msu.edu wlc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan State WLC
Tuition (In State) $15,648 $34,520
Tuition (Out of State) $43,032 $34,520
Room & Board $11,754 $11,880
Avg Net Price $24,630 $22,809
Avg Grant Aid $8,147 $24,122
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

Michigan State WLC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 58,879 1,847
Admitted 49,414 1,460
Acceptance Rate 83.9% 79%
Enrolled % 19.3% 17.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.54
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/31 22/28
SAT Range 1150/1350 1060/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Michigan State WLC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Michigan State WLC
Graduation Rate 77% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,000 $43,000
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,484 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $258

Diversity

Michigan State WLC
% Men 9% 2%
% Women 12% 4%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 83%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 13% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Michigan State WLC
% In-State 76% 69%
% Out-of-State 18% 31%

Campus

Michigan State WLC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than WLC based on total student enrollment (51,316 students vs. 1,094 students)

Michigan State vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or WLC?

  • Wisconsin Lutheran College is 120.6% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($34,520.00 vs. $15,648.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.7% higher at Michigan State than Wisconsin Lutheran College ($43,032.00 vs. $34,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wisconsin Lutheran College than Michigan State ($22,809 vs. $24,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 1.1% lower than costs at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,754 vs. $11,880)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than Michigan State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 196.1% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($24,122 vs. $8,147)

Michigan State vs. WLC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or WLC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WLC or Michigan State .

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 58 points higher than at WLC (1101)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WLC (24)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WLC (3.54)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than WLC (79%)

Michigan State vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan State or WLC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WLC and Michigan State.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College (77% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $17,000 more per year than WLC graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $43,000)
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College students graduate with a $484 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,484)
  • WLC graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($258 vs. $263)
  • More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/