WSU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

WSU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wayne State University than WLC ($14,416 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 14% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,250 vs. $14,252).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 137.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $20,920 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at WLC than at Wayne State University (about $4,073 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 90.1% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($24,624 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU 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 WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 70 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WSU 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: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

WSU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 38%)

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.