WLC vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wisconsin Lutheran College is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

WLC vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WLC or Wisconsin? 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 Madison than WLC ($14,235 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 13.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($12,250 vs. $14,124).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 211.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $24,507 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at Wisconsin than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $5,993 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 38.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($24,624 vs. $17,741).

WLC vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WLC or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin and WLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 350 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at WLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WLC - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at WLC (3.54).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at WLC vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

WLC vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WLC and Wisconsin? 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 Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($22,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.