UM-Dearborn vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Dearborn in Dearborn, MI with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Dearborn is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (8,104 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Dearborn is located in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Michigan Dearborn is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Michigan Dearborn 16:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

UM-Dearborn vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM-Dearborn 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 University of Michigan Dearborn than WLC ($11,521 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 8.2% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($11,241 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 130.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Dearborn (about $20,470 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $15,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at WLC than at University of Michigan Dearborn (about $3,214 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $32,896.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Michigan Dearborn (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 103.1% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students ($24,624 vs. $12,124).

UM-Dearborn vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM-Dearborn 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 UM-Dearborn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Dearborn (1120) is 20 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming UM-Dearborn students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at WLC (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM-Dearborn - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WLC (3.54).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at UM-Dearborn vs. 20.2% at WLC.

UM-Dearborn vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM-Dearborn 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 University of Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 46%)

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.