Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN 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 Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Southwest Minnesota 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: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,712 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 21.1% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,702 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $291 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.4% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $9,156 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (94% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 92.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($8,674 vs. $4,499).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Southwest Minnesota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $1,572 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($21,678 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($224 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 66%)

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.