“The WELS College of Ministry — preparing Christian servants to spread the Gospel.”
Martin Luther College (MLC) is a private Lutheran college in New Ulm, Minnesota, operated by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Founded in 1884 as Dr. Martin Luther College and taking its current form in 1995 through a merger with Northwestern College of Watertown, Wisconsin, MLC has a singular and defining mission: to prepare commissioned workers — pastors, teachers, and staff ministers — to serve the WELS church body. The college's 100-acre wooded campus overlooks the historic city of New Ulm and provides a close-knit, faith-centered residential environment where virtually all students live on campus. Academically, MLC focuses on two primary program areas: Christian Education and Theology. Education students train to become Lutheran elementary and secondary school teachers, while theology students prepare for pastoral ministry. All programs are infused with a confessional Lutheran worldview, and chapel attendance and Christian community are central to campus life. Faculty are committed Christians who integrate faith and academic rigor, and small class sizes ensure close mentorship throughout each student's academic journey. Student life at MLC revolves around shared faith, academic purpose, and community. The college fields 16 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams known as the Knights, competing in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. Annual events including Homecoming and Winter Carnival bring the campus together, while student organizations such as the theatre group Forum and service organizations like Anchor and Jesus Cares provide opportunities for engagement beyond the classroom. With a 98% on-campus residency rate and approximately 20 student organizations, MLC cultivates a tight-knit community united by faith and vocation.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceFall Semester (Rolling)
Rolling admissions begin processing Sept 15 of prior year; final transcripts due August 1
Spring Semester
Materials and transcripts due November 1
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$18,120 – $18,477
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Trains Lutheran school teachers for elementary, secondary, and special education settings within WELS schools
Prepares students for pastoral ministry, staff ministry, and lay leadership within the WELS church body
Master's-level continuing education for commissioned workers and educational professionals
4 years
Prepares future Lutheran school teachers with content knowledge and pedagogical training rooted in a Christian worldview, leading to state teaching licensure.
4 years
A rigorous undergraduate program equipping students for entrance into WELS seminary and a lifetime of pastoral ministry.
4 years
Prepares students for commissioned lay ministry roles such as Christian education director, youth director, or music director in Lutheran congregations.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $18,120
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
