Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO 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 Columbia College based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia College ($14,712 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 8.9% lower than at Columbia College ($8,702 vs. $9,552).
• Columbia College is 156.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $15,756 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.3% higher at Columbia College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $6,309 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (91% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 253% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($15,882 vs. $4,499).

Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia College.

• Columbia 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: Columbia College - Open admission; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Columbia College (3.59).

Columbia College vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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 Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,216 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($22,034 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($227 vs. $240).
• 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. 40%)

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.