WMU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

WMU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU 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 Western Michigan University than WLC ($17,331 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 0.6% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($12,174 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 136.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $20,858 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.7% higher at WLC than at Western Michigan University (about $17,076 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 122.9% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($24,624 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU 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 WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 10 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

WMU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU 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 Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 54%)

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.