Wisconsin Lutheran College prepares students for lives of Christian leadership. WLC is known for academic excellence and a Christ-centered student experience, with courses taught by Christian faculty. The college is annually ranked as one of America's best colleges by multiple organizations.
National Rankings
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U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
For 2026, U.S. News & World Report rates Wisconsin Lutheran College 19th among Regional Colleges in the Midwest. Schools in this category focus almost entirely on the undergraduate experience and offer a broad range of programs in the liberal arts and in fields such as business, nursing, and education.
WLC is included in the U.S. News rankings for Best Value Schools, ranked 12th among Regional Colleges in the Midwest.
The college is also included in the Top Performers on Social Mobility rankings at #30 among Regional Colleges in the Midwest. This category rates how well schools graduated students who received Pell Grants.
COLLEGES OF DISTINCTION
Wisconsin Lutheran College has been named a College of Distinction and a Christian College of Distinction for 2026-2027. Colleges of Distinction is a college guide with a unique approach. Instead of looking for the richest or the most famous schools, they ask: Which colleges are the best places to learn, to grow, and to succeed?
For 2026-2027, WLC also was named a College of Distinction - Business, College of Distinction - Education, and College of Distinction - Nursing.
MONEY
Money’s Best Colleges list evaluates four-year colleges on 25 metrics — including graduation rates, costs, financial aid, student debt, and alumni salaries — to help families find schools that deliver strong value. Wisconsin Lutheran College is part of Money's 2026 Best Colleges in America list.
NICHE BEST COLLEGES
Wisconsin Lutheran College continues to earn recognition among the leading colleges and universities in Wisconsin in Niche’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings.
Niche’s annual college rankings are based on analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student-life data, along with reviews from students and alumni.
For 2027, WLC ranks #5 among all colleges in Wisconsin, #3 among Wisconsin’s best small colleges, and #4 among the state’s top private universities.
The college also earned the #1 ranking in Wisconsin for both Best College Dorms and Best College Locations.
Overall Recognition
- #2 of 12 Best Colleges in Milwaukee Area
- #3 of 19 Best Small Colleges in Wisconsin
- #4 of 19 Top Private Universities in Wisconsin
- #5 of 32 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- #6 of 31 Best Value Colleges in Wisconsin
- #65 of 335 Best Christian Colleges in America
Academic Programs
- #3 of 29 Best Colleges for Business in Wisconsin
- #4 of 28 Best Colleges for Biology in Wisconsin
- #4 of 28 Best Colleges for Education in Wisconsin
Campus and Student Experience
- #1 of 30 Best College Dorms in Wisconsin
- #19 of 1,351 Best College Dorms in America
- #1 of 32 Best College Locations in Wisconsin
- #139 of 1,517 Best College Locations in America
- #3 of 30 Best College Campuses in Wisconsin
- #92 of 1,373 Best College Campuses in America
- #5 of 32 Colleges with the Best Student Life in Wisconsin
VIEW THE COMPLETE LIST OF WLC'S NICHE RANKINGS
WASHINGTON MONTHLY
Wisconsin Lutheran College is nationally ranked by Washington Monthly in its listing of Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars. The 2026 list rates four-year institutions based on their contribution to the public good in four broad categories: access, affordability, outcomes, and promoting public service.