MSU Billings vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University Billings in Billings, MT 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 MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 4,129 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Billings is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Montana State University Billings 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: Montana State University Billings 14:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

MSU Billings vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Billings 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 MSU Billings ($14,712 vs. $15,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 12.8% lower than at Montana State University Billings ($8,702 vs. $9,980).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Billings (about $2,790 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $7,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at MSU Billings than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $3,380 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Billings than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (90% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Billings students is 62.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($7,313 vs. $4,499).

MSU Billings vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Billings 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 MSU Billings.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Billings - Not reported; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at MSU Billings (3.05).

MSU Billings vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Billings 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 Montana State University Billings's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than MSU Billings graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Billings graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, MSU Billings graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($180 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Billings students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 58%)

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.