WLC vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Parkside is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (3,925 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 Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

WLC vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WLC or Parkside? 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 Parkside than WLC ($10,234 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 28.6% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($8,750 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 336.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $27,840 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.2% higher at WLC than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $18,681 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 224.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($24,624 vs. $7,598).

WLC vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming WLC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Parkside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29; University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WLC - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Parkside (3.31).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.2% at WLC vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

WLC vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WLC and Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Parkside graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $2,035 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($22,965 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkside 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.