Michigan vs. UW-La Crosse

Should I go to University of Michigan or University of Wisconsin La Crosse? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Michigan State Wisconsin Ohio State UCLA UNC Chapel Hill UT Austin Georgia Tech UW-Eau Claire UVA Illinois UC Berkeley UCSD
University of Michigan vs. University of Wisconsin La Crosse comparison
University of Michigan University of Wisconsin La Crosse College 3 College 4
University of Michigan University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Michigan UW-La Crosse
Location Ann Arbor, MI La Crosse, WI
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 52,065 10,299
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #47 #566
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umich.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Michigan UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $16,896 $7,974
Tuition (Out of State) $57,740 $17,014
Room & Board $13,856 $7,960
Avg Net Price $19,005 $13,125
Avg Grant Aid $22,005 $4,678
% Receiving Grant Aid 55% 36%

Admission

 Michigan UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 87,632 7,312
Admitted 15,722 5,356
Acceptance Rate 17.9% 73.2%
Enrolled % 47.5% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.88 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Moderate
Applicant Competition Very High Low
ACT Range 31/34 22/26
SAT Range 1350/1530
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

 Michigan UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 Michigan UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 90% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $74,400 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,103 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $207 $240

Diversity

 Michigan UW-La Crosse
% Men 18% 3%
% Women 18% 6%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 90%
% Black 4% 1%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 7% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

 Michigan UW-La Crosse
% In-State 51% 80%
% Out-of-State 44% 19%

Campus

 Michigan 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 Michigan is larger than than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (52,065 students vs. 10,299 students)

Michigan vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan or UW-La Crosse?

  • University of Michigan is 111.9% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($16,896.00 vs. $7,974.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 239.4% higher at Michigan than University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($57,740.00 vs. $17,014.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin La Crosse than Michigan ($13,125 vs. $19,005)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 74.1% lower than costs at University of Michigan ($7,960 vs. $13,856)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Michigan than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (55% vs. 36%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan students is 370.4% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($22,005 vs. $4,678)

Michigan vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan 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 Michigan .

  • The average SAT score at University of Michigan (1384) is 254 points higher than at UW-La Crosse (1130)
  • Incoming Michigan students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at UW-La Crosse (25)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at UW-La Crosse (3.6)
  • UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than Michigan (17.9%)

Michigan vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan 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 Michigan.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan is higher than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (90% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from University of Michigan earn on average $24,900 more per year than UW-La Crosse graduates after ten years. ($74,400 vs. $49,500)
  • University of Michigan students graduate with a $3,147 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($20,103 vs. $23,250)
  • Michigan graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($207 vs. $240)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/