UMES vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD 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 UMES based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 3,177 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is located in Princess Anne, MD (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore 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: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

UMES vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMES 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 Maryland Eastern Shore than UW-La Crosse ($13,311 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 23.3% lower than at University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($8,702 vs. $11,351).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMES (about $994 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $9,076.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at UMES than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $605 more per year; $20,122.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Eastern Shore than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (98% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Eastern Shore students is 182.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($12,728 vs. $4,499).

UMES vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMES 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 UMES.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at UMES).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 840/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 16/19; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMES - Test-free; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMES Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UMES (3.07).
• UMES has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at UMES vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

UMES vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMES 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 University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (31%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than UMES graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UMES graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMES graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMES students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 23%)

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.