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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, WI·Public·9,277 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Wisconsin residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 9,277 students.

76%
Accept
9,277
Students
$16,210
Net Price
71%
Grad Rate
$52,500
Earnings
10 yr
$22,500
Debt

About This School

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin with approximately 9,277 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 76%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,210 per year. The graduation rate is 71%, and the typical graduate earns $52,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse is a public research university in La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States. Established in 1909 as La Crosse State Normal School, it is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. With 9,600 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students, UW-La Crosse is composed of four schools and colleges offering 102 undergraduate programs, 31 graduate programs, and 2 doctoral programs. UW-La Crosse has over 95,000 alumni across all 50 U.S. states and 57 countries as of 2021.

This is a strong option for students who want an affordable, mid-sized public university experience — at $15,374/year average net cost and a median graduation debt of just $18,000, the financial picture is genuinely reasonable. The 86% freshman retention rate signals that students who show up tend to stick around, and 102 undergraduate programs gives you real breadth to explore. The one honest flag: a 71% graduation rate means roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish, so come in with a plan and use the support resources early.

Founded
1909
Setting
Small city
Avg Faculty Salary
$8,349

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing27%
Biological Sciences13%
Psychology10%
Health Professions7%
Education7%
Social Sciences5%
Communications3%
Computer Science2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Andrew RockSandra Lee

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1220

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite24

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$10,070
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,517
Avg Net Price
$16,210
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$8,224
$30–48k$8,766
$48–75k$10,608
$75–110k$17,394
$110k+$18,991

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants14%
Median debt at graduation$22,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
71%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
87%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$22,500
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$42,300
Female graduates$38,600

Gap: 9% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

What Each Major Actually Earns

Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates earn most above the national rate in Biology, General ($67,446 vs $57,214 nationally), and most below it in Marketing ($61,191 vs $69,303).

MajorGradsHereNationalDiff
Biology, General234$67,446$57,214+$10,232
Psychology, General226$55,173$50,706+$4,467
Finance and Financial Management Services201$76,227$83,343−$7,116
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness187$58,233$54,562+$3,671
Marketing131$61,191$69,303−$8,112
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods130$46,328$47,382−$1,054
Business Administration, Management and Operations117$67,521$68,257−$736
Communication and Media Studies79$56,470$56,359+$111
Accounting and Related Services68$78,296$76,194+$2,102
Public Health61$55,418$58,808−$3,390
Computer and Information Sciences, General54$93,633$92,374+$1,259
Political Science and Government52$57,256$63,293−$6,037

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$22,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$40,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White89%
Black1%
Hispanic/Latino4%
Asian2%
Two or more races3%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (9,277 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

1725 State St

La Crosse, WI 54601-9959

View on Google Maps →

Schools Like This in Wisconsin

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See How Colleges Compare

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has an acceptance rate of 76%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is University of Wisconsin-La Crosse hard to get into?

Not especially. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has an acceptance rate of 76%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does University of Wisconsin-La Crosse cost?

The average net price at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is about $16,210 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has a graduation rate of 71%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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