Northeastern Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse

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

 Northeastern Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Location Chicago, IL La Crosse, WI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 5,756 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northeastern Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $16,404
Room & Board $10,742 $6,942
Avg Net Price $14,262 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 64%

Admission

 Northeastern Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 7,290
Admitted 2,886 5,413
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 74.3%
Enrolled % 17.9% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 22/26
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Northeastern Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 Northeastern Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 23% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $149 $240

Diversity

 Northeastern Illinois University UW-La Crosse
% Men 39% 42%
% Women 61% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 90%
% Black 10% 1%
% Hispanic 37% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 Northeastern Illinois University UW-La Crosse
% In-State 97% 81%
% Out-of-State 2% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or UW-La Crosse?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 33% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $7,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($20,182.00 vs. $16,404.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin La Crosse than Northeastern Illinois University ($13,130 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 54.7% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($6,942 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (85% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 346% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($15,143 vs. $3,395)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University 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 Northeastern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (1130) is 260 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (68% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $9,500 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $8,750 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($14,500 vs. $23,250)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $91 less per month on federal student loans than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($149 vs. $240)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 56%)

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