BSC vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND 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 BSC based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 4,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bismarck State College is located in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bismarck State College 13:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

BSC vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSC 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 Bismarck State College than UW-La Crosse ($10,462 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 4.9% lower than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($8,273 vs. $8,702).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 91.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSC (about $4,823 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $5,247.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166.2% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Bismarck State College (about $12,186 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $7,331.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bismarck State College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (73% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bismarck State College students is 12.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($5,049 vs. $4,499).

BSC vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSC 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 BSC.

• Bismarck State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSC - Open admission; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.

BSC vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSC 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).

• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $300 more per year than BSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $12,209 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($11,041 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($114 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

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.