GSU vs. UW-La Crosse

Should I go to Governors State University or University of Wisconsin La Crosse? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU 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.

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Governors State University vs. University of Wisconsin La Crosse comparison
Governors State University University of Wisconsin La Crosse College 3 College 4
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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Overview

GSU UW-La Crosse
Location University Park, IL La Crosse, WI
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 4,427 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GSU UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $16,404
Room & Board $11,000 $6,942
Avg Net Price $9,833 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

GSU UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 7,290
Admitted 1,072 5,413
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 74.3%
Enrolled % 29.5% 43%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.6
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 22/26
SAT Range 830/1060
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

GSU UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

GSU UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate - 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $178 $240

Diversity

GSU UW-La Crosse
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 90%
% Black 38% 1%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 0%

Students

GSU UW-La Crosse
% In-State 95% 81%
% Out-of-State 3% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than GSU based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 4,427 students)

GSU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 1% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($7,585.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.2% higher at UW-La Crosse than Governors State University ($16,404.00 vs. $15,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than UW-La Crosse ($9,833 vs. $13,130)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 58.5% lower than costs at Governors State University ($6,942 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 253.1% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($11,987 vs. $3,395)

GSU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (1130) is 219 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UW-La Crosse (3.6)
  • UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than GSU (57.5%)

GSU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU 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 GSU.

  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $6,900 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $6,000 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($17,250 vs. $23,250)
  • GSU graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($178 vs. $240)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU 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/