Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-La Crosse

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

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-La Crosse
Location Marshall, MN La Crosse, WI
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 6,930 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948 #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $16,404
Room & Board $9,258 $6,942
Avg Net Price $15,004 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 64%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 7,290
Admitted 1,427 5,413
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 74.3%
Enrolled % 22.8% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 22/26
SAT Range 935/1102
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 Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 39% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $224 $240

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-La Crosse
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 90%
% Black 5% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-La Crosse
% In-State 74% 81%
% Out-of-State 20% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 6,930 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or UW-La Crosse?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 16.5% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $7,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.6% higher at UW-La Crosse than Southwest Minnesota State University ($16,404.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • 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 ($13,130 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 33.4% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($6,942 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (94% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 117.6% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($7,389 vs. $3,395)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (1130) is 122 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • 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)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than UW-La Crosse (74.3%)

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

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State 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 Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (68% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $8,300 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $1,572 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($21,678 vs. $23,250)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans 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/