Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, WI 53226-4699
About Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, enrolling about 943 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 78.16% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $54,664 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Wisconsin Lutheran College charges 23% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($36,110).
- Versus the Wisconsin median, sticker tuition is about 3.7×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 63.57%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $54,664.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Wisconsin Lutheran College is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 488% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | $36,110 | $23,245 | 1 |
| Private Non-profit (national median) | $29,325 | — | 1,444 |
| Wisconsin (state median) | $9,856 | $12,252 | 54 |
| Urban (City) (locale median) | $15,200 | $20,053 | 1,346 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 36% below published tuition at Wisconsin Lutheran College
Key findings
- Wisconsin Lutheran College's average net price ($23,245) is 36% below published tuition ($36,110).
- Wisconsin Lutheran College charges 23% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($36,110).
- Versus the Wisconsin median, sticker tuition is about 3.7×.
Wisconsin Lutheran College tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $36,110
Finding Wisconsin Lutheran College charges 23% above the national private non-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $36,110. That is 23% above the national private non-profit median ($29,325). Versus the Wisconsin median ($9,856), sticker tuition is about 3.7×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 3.0×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private non-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Wisconsin Lutheran College versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Wisconsin Lutheran College versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Wisconsin Lutheran College is $23,245.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $23,245 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $10,992 above the Wisconsin median net price. Versus urban (city) campuses, net price runs $3,192 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Wisconsin Lutheran College’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 36% lower after grants and scholarships.
Wisconsin Lutheran College: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Wisconsin Lutheran College—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$36,110
Avg. net price
$23,245
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $18,190 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,913 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $20,519 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,475 |
| $110,001+ | $28,019 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $144,440. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Wisconsin Lutheran College is known for
Top program completions
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General22
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse20
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management17
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology17
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General17
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 17% of admitted students enrolled.
- Average SAT: 1239
- Midpoint ACT: 25
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Wisconsin Lutheran College a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Wisconsin Lutheran College is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Campus
Location
Milwaukee, WI
City / state
- ZIP
- 53226-4699
- NCES locale
- City
Compared with Urban (City) campuses nationally, net price is 16% above the median for Urban (City) campuses ($20,053 median).
Control
Institution type
Private Non-profit
Control
- Region
- Great Lakes
- Carnegie
- Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Size
Enrollment
943
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,153
- Graduate
- 70
- Full-time share
- 99%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$26,000
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 28.60%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Wisconsin Lutheran College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Wisconsin Lutheran College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $24,770 | $24,770 | $17,656 |
| 2014 | $25,960 | $25,960 | $18,548 |
| 2015 | $27,040 | $27,040 | $19,263 |
| 2016 | $27,984 | $27,984 | $19,581 |
| 2017 | $29,140 | $29,140 | $20,073 |
| 2018 | $29,725 | $29,725 | $21,135 |
| 2019 | $30,850 | $30,850 | $20,899 |
| 2020 | $31,754 | $31,754 | $20,927 |
| 2021 | $32,766 | $32,766 | $20,614 |
| 2022 | $33,762 | $33,762 | $21,962 |
| 2023 | $35,080 | $35,080 | $21,315 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Average 1239 (middle 50% not reported)
Midpoint 25 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
Estimated from admission selectivity and test scores. Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
Estimated range · median 3.40
Estimated GPA band from selectivity and test scores — not an official requirement.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Wisconsin Lutheran College reported total enrollment of about 943 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 48% male and 52% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (75.8%), Hispanic or Latino (10.0%), and Black or African American (4.7%). About 28.60% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 29.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2024 is 943 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,153 students. Graduate enrollment is about 70 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
72.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
52.23% 100% Completion Time
63.57% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 52.23% of students graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 32% male / 68% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 10% male / 90% female
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 88% male / 12% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates earn a median of $54,664 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $54,664. Median federal loan debt: $26,000. Average net price used in cost models: $23,245.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates report median earnings of $54,664 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (39 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Wisconsin Lutheran College—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$47M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Wisconsin median 1.1× the median ($41.1M)
- Great Lakes median 1.5× the median ($31.8M)
- U.S. median 1.8× the median ($26.4M)
- Wisconsin median 2.4× the median ($18,809)
- Great Lakes median 2.7× the median ($16,690)
- U.S. median 3.7× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 96.1%
- Wisconsin median 31.6 pp above median (64.5%)
- Great Lakes median 38.0 pp above median (58.1%)
- U.S. median 38.1 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $7,508
- Wisconsin median 0.90× the median ($8,323)
- Great Lakes median 0.93× the median ($8,046)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,769
- Wisconsin median 1.1× the median ($9,506)
- Great Lakes median 1.4× the median ($7,690)
- U.S. median 1.5× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Wisconsin Lutheran College at a glance
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private non-profit institution in Milwaukee, WI, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, GeneralRegistered Nursing/Registered NurseSport and Fitness Administration/Management
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian75.8%Hispanic or Latino10.0%Black or African American4.7%
Schools near Wisconsin Lutheran College
Other campuses in Milwaukee, WI when available, plus nearby institutions in Wisconsin.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C) within Wisconsin, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wisconsin Lutheran College located?
Wisconsin Lutheran College is located in Milwaukee, WI.
What is Wisconsin Lutheran College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Wisconsin Lutheran College is 78.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,847 applicants and 1,460 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Wisconsin Lutheran College's tuition?
Wisconsin Lutheran College tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $36,110 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $23,245 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Wisconsin Lutheran College cost?
Reported tuition is $36,110 and average net price is $23,245 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,250 annually.
Why is Wisconsin Lutheran College's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Wisconsin Lutheran College, published tuition is $36,110 while average net price is $23,245—about 36% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Wisconsin Lutheran College's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($23,245), completion (63.6% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($54,664). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Wisconsin Lutheran College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,153 students, White (75.8%), Hispanic or Latino (10.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Wisconsin Lutheran College?
About 29.4% of students at Wisconsin Lutheran College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Wisconsin Lutheran College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Wisconsin Lutheran College reports midpoint SAT about 1239 and midpoint ACT about 25.
What do graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran College earn?
Median earnings are $49,095 six years after entry and $54,664 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Wisconsin Lutheran College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 63.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Wisconsin Lutheran College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $26,000.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.