Metropolitan State University vs. UW-La Crosse

Should I go to Metropolitan State University or University of Wisconsin La Crosse? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Metropolitan State University 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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Metropolitan State University vs. University of Wisconsin La Crosse comparison
Metropolitan State University University of Wisconsin La Crosse College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State University University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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Overview

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
Location Saint Paul, MN La Crosse, WI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,294 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website metrostate.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $8,571 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $8,571 $16,404
Room & Board $11,644 $6,942
Avg Net Price $19,347 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $8,322 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 612 7,290
Admitted 500 5,413
Acceptance Rate 81.7% 74.3%
Enrolled % 26.2% 43%
Avg High School GPA - 3.6
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/26
SAT Range
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 29% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,992 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $186 $240

Diversity

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
% Men 42% 42%
% Women 58% 58%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 90%
% Black 20% 1%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
% In-State 99% 81%
% Out-of-State 1% 19%

Campus

Metropolitan State University UW-La Crosse
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No 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 Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 6,294 students)

Metropolitan State University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University or UW-La Crosse?

  • Metropolitan State University is 13% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($8,571.00 vs. $7,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.4% higher at UW-La Crosse than Metropolitan State University ($16,404.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin La Crosse than Metropolitan State University ($13,130 vs. $19,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 67.7% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($6,942 vs. $11,644)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 145.1% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($8,322 vs. $3,395)

Metropolitan State University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University .

  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than UW-La Crosse (74.3%)

Metropolitan State University vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Metropolitan State University (68% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $300 more per year than Metropolitan State University graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $49,200)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $5,258 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($17,992 vs. $23,250)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($186 vs. $240)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 57%)

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