Wartburg College vs. MLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); Martin Luther College is in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wartburg College 13:1; Martin Luther College 10:1.

Wartburg College vs. MLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg College or MLC? 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 Martin Luther College than Wartburg College ($18,974 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 32.8% lower than at Wartburg College ($7,900 vs. $11,750).
• Wartburg College is 44.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MLC (about $8,130 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.9% higher at Wartburg College than at Martin Luther College (about $8,130 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 292.5% larger than aid received by Martin Luther College students ($40,336 vs. $10,276).

Wartburg College vs. MLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg College or MLC? 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 MLC and Wartburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 100 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at MLC (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 930/1200; Martin Luther College 1078/1256.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; Martin Luther College 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; MLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MLC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 88.3% at MLC.

Wartburg College vs. MLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg College and MLC? 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Wartburg College's (63%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wartburg College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.