Martin Luther College

Private · Moderately Selective · MN

Photo: Prof. William Pekrul (CC BY-SA 3.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationMN · Midwest

SettingRural

Undergrads725

Student:faculty10:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate50.3%

6-yr grad rate71.5%

Drop-out rate15.3%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$18k

Out-of-state tuition$18k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity9.9%

Gender diversity53.7%

International2.3%

IdentityWisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Overview

Martin Luther College, in New Ulm, Minnesota, is the ministry-training college of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Nearly every student is preparing to become a called worker — a Lutheran teacher, pastor, or staff minister — for WELS congregations and schools, making it one of the most single-purpose campuses among American colleges.

Getting in

Most students arrive already committed to WELS ministry service, often from the synod's own network of Lutheran elementary and high schools, so the admissions process functions less like a competitive academic filter and more like a continuation of an existing church and school community.

Worth knowing

Enrollment is drawn almost entirely from WELS families and Lutheran high schools, and the curriculum, calendar, and campus culture are all built around preparation for church and school service. Students not headed toward a WELS calling would find few of the usual broad-based major options available elsewhere.

mlc-wels.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate87.2%

Enrolled mid-50%ACT 21–28

Test policyoptional

Rec letters2

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Applying