SIUE vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

SIUE vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than WLC ($17,115 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 15.5% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,250 vs. $14,490).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 179.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $23,188 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.4% higher at WLC than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $23,188 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 112.2% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($24,624 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE 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 SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 30 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at SIUE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have the same average high school GPA (3.54) as students at WLC (3.54).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 20.2% at WLC.

SIUE vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE 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).

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's (52%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $3,570 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($21,430 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 61%)

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.