Alma College vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with University of Wisconsin La Crosse in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Alma College vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or UW-La Crosse? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin La Crosse than Alma College ($14,712 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 38.6% lower than at Alma College ($8,702 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 392.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $39,482 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.9% higher at Alma College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $30,035 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 825.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($41,618 vs. $4,499).

Alma College vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or UW-La Crosse? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UW-La Crosse and Alma College.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Alma College (3.5).
• UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Alma College vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and UW-La Crosse? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Wisconsin La Crosse's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Alma College's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Alma College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alma College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.