GSU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, 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 GSU based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Governors State 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: Governors State University 11:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

GSU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU 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 Governors State University than UW-La Crosse ($12,756 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 25.9% lower than at Governors State University ($8,702 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $1,934 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.6% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Governors State University (about $7,513 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (81% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 154.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($11,455 vs. $4,499).

GSU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• 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 (75.5%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

GSU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU 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 $6,900 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($17,250 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.