Valpo vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Valparaiso University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Valpo vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo 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 Valparaiso University than WLC ($21,766 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 10% lower than at Valparaiso University ($12,250 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 34.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $12,340 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.2% higher at Valpo than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $12,340 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 52.5% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($37,548 vs. $24,624).

Valpo vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo 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 Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 70 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at WLC (3.54).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Valpo vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo 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).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valpo students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 77%)

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.