MWSU vs. UW-La Crosse

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

 MWSU UW-La Crosse
Location Saint Joseph, MO La Crosse, WI
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 4,023 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website missouriwestern.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MWSU UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $6,540 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $13,550 $16,404
Room & Board $10,200 $6,942
Avg Net Price $11,917 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $10,531 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

 MWSU UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 7,290
Admitted - 5,413
Acceptance Rate Open 74.3%
Enrolled % Open 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 3.6
Typical High School Grades B 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)
Application Deadline

Academics

 MWSU UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 MWSU UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 27% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,500 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,818 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $225 $240

Diversity

 MWSU UW-La Crosse
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 90%
% Black 10% 1%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 MWSU UW-La Crosse
% In-State 82% 81%
% Out-of-State 17% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than MWSU based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 4,023 students)

MWSU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 16% more expensive to attend than MWSU for in-state tuition ($7,585.00 vs. $6,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.1% higher at UW-La Crosse than Missouri Western State University ($16,404.00 vs. $13,550.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than UW-La Crosse ($11,917 vs. $13,130)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 46.9% lower than costs at Missouri Western State University ($6,942 vs. $10,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Missouri Western State University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Western State University students is 210.2% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($10,531 vs. $3,395)

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU 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 MWSU .

  • Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at MWSU (3.25)

MWSU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MWSU 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 MWSU.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Missouri Western State University (68% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $13,000 more per year than MWSU graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $36,500)
  • Missouri Western State University students graduate with a $1,432 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($21,818 vs. $23,250)
  • MWSU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($225 vs. $240)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 53%)

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