EIU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University 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: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

EIU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than UW-La Crosse ($13,787 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 29.1% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($8,702 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 35.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $3,609 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Eastern Illinois University (about $3,300 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (95% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 188.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($12,960 vs. $4,499).

EIU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at EIU (3.39).
• UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

EIU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $400 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($240 vs. $244).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 59%)

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.