SWOSU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK 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 SWOSU based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 5,186 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Weatherford, OK (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Southwestern Oklahoma 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: Southwestern Oklahoma State University 19:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

SWOSU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWOSU 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University than UW-La Crosse ($14,410 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 12.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($7,634 vs. $8,702).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 18.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWOSU (about $1,601 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $8,469.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.6% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (about $11,018 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $8,499.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Oklahoma State University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (88% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Oklahoma State University students is 98% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($8,906 vs. $4,499).

SWOSU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWOSU 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 SWOSU.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at SWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern Oklahoma State University 18/23; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWOSU - Not reported; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SWOSU (3.53).

SWOSU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWOSU 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $900 more per year than SWOSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $7,563 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($15,687 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, SWOSU graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($162 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWOSU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 54%)

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.