UW-Eau Claire vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

UW-Eau Claire vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-Eau Claire 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire than WLC ($15,151 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 26.7% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($8,978 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 274.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $26,468 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.8% higher at WLC than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (about $16,882 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $19,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 334.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($24,624 vs. $5,663).

UW-Eau Claire vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-Eau Claire 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 UW-Eau Claire.

• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at UW-Eau Claire).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-Eau Claire - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at WLC (3.54).
• UW-Eau Claire has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire vs. 20.2% at WLC.

UW-Eau Claire vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-Eau Claire 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-Eau Claire graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Eau Claire students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 76%)

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.