NSU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA 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 NSU based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Norfolk State University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Norfolk 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: Norfolk State University 15:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

NSU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU 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 Norfolk State University than UW-La Crosse ($9,124 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 24.9% lower than at Norfolk State University ($8,702 vs. $11,591).
• Norfolk State University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $110 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at NSU than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $2,165 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norfolk State University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (75% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 234.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($15,056 vs. $4,499).

NSU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU 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 NSU.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Norfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Norfolk State University 16/22; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NSU (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at NSU vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

NSU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,250 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($240 vs. $320).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 27%)

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.