Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, MN with University of Wisconsin La Crosse in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (15,271 students vs. 10,446 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Mankato is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Minnesota State University Mankato 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: Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota State University-Mankato 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato ($14,712 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 29.9% lower than at Minnesota State University Mankato ($8,702 vs. $12,420).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota State University-Mankato (about $498 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $9,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Minnesota State University Mankato (about $575 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $18,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Mankato than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (78% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students is 18.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($5,325 vs. $4,499).

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota State University-Mankato 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Minnesota State University-Mankato).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Mankato 19/24; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Minnesota State University-Mankato (3.37).
• Minnesota State University-Mankato has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota State University-Mankato 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 Minnesota State University Mankato's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Mankato graduates have a $675 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($22,575 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($233 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota State University-Mankato students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

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.