UNI vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa 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 Northern Iowa 18:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

UNI vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 Northern Iowa than WLC ($16,437 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 18.5% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($9,986 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 263.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $26,174 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.3% higher at WLC than at University of Northern Iowa (about $14,398 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 319.8% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($24,624 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 50 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WLC (3.54).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 20.2% at WLC.

UNI vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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).

• University of Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 72%)

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.