PSC vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL 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 PSC based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Polk State College 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: Polk State College 19:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

PSC vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC 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 Polk State College than UW-La Crosse ($10,011 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 28.6% lower than at Polk State College ($8,702 vs. $12,186).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 273.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $7,376 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.8% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Polk State College (about $9,700 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Polk State College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (72% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students is 36.1% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($4,499 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC 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 PSC.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.

PSC vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC 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).

• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $13,750 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($9,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($98 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 40%)

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.