Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or University of Wisconsin La Crosse? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or UW-La Crosse is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UW-Eau Claire University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Roosevelt University UWM Wisconsin DePaul UWO UW-Platteville Minnesota State University-Mankato UWSP Minnesota University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Columbia College Chicago vs. University of Wisconsin La Crosse comparison
Columbia College Chicago University of Wisconsin La Crosse College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
Location Chicago, IL La Crosse, WI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,646 10,274
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $16,404
Room & Board $18,000 $6,942
Avg Net Price $28,387 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 64%

Admission

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 7,290
Admitted 7,298 5,413
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 74.3%
Enrolled % 22%Open 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/26
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 41% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $240

Diversity

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 90%
% Black 15% 1%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
% In-State 57% 81%
% Out-of-State 40% 19%

Campus

 Columbia College UW-La Crosse
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 6,646 students)

Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or UW-La Crosse?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 285.9% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $7,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78.4% higher at Columbia College than University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($29,270.00 vs. $16,404.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin La Crosse than Columbia College ($13,130 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 159.3% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($6,942 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (99% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 430.8% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($18,020 vs. $3,395)

Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or UW-La Crosse? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UW-La Crosse or Columbia College .

  • Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Columbia College (3.41)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than UW-La Crosse (74.3%)

Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or UW-La Crosse? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UW-La Crosse and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Columbia College Chicago (68% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $12,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $37,300)
  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($23,250 vs. $26,000)
  • UW-La Crosse graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($240 vs. $268)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/