Metropolitan State University vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN 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 Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Metropolitan 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: Metropolitan State University 15:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University ($14,712 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 45.1% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($8,702 vs. $15,864).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $230 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.3% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Metropolitan State University (about $9,677 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (82% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 89.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($8,538 vs. $4,499).

Metropolitan State University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Metropolitan State University vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

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

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $300 more per year than Metropolitan State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $5,258 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($17,992 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.