CBC vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA 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 CBC based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 7,510 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia Basin College is located in Pasco, WA (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Columbia Basin 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: Columbia Basin College 20:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

CBC vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CBC 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 Columbia Basin College than UW-La Crosse ($10,656 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 22.5% lower than at Columbia Basin College ($8,702 vs. $11,222).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 53.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $3,515 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.2% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Columbia Basin College (about $10,849 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia Basin College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (76% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia Basin College students is 63.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($7,367 vs. $4,499).

CBC vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CBC 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 CBC.

• Columbia Basin 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: CBC - Open admission; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.

CBC vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CBC 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 $11,300 more per year than CBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($10,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($108 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 48%)

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.