Principia College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois 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 Principia College based on total student enrollment (1,027 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Principia College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College 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 Principia College than WLC ($18,248 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 11.9% lower than at Principia College ($12,250 vs. $13,910).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Principia College (about $1,430 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at WLC than at Principia College (about $1,430 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Principia College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 23.5% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($30,402 vs. $24,624).

Principia College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College 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 Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 50 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College 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).

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.