Minnesota vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, 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 Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 10,446 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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 Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Minnesota vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 Minnesota ($14,712 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 37.2% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($8,702 vs. $13,856).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 70.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $7,144 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.6% higher at Minnesota than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $18,845 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (65% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 179% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($12,552 vs. $4,499).

Minnesota vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• Incoming Minnesota students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at UW-La Crosse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UW-La Crosse (3.6).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Minnesota vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Wisconsin La Crosse's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than UW-La Crosse graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $49,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $3,065 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($20,185 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($208 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

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.