University of West Alabama vs. UW-La Crosse

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

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
Location Livingston, AL La Crosse, WI
Setting Remote Rural Small City
Enrollment 5,860 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $16,404
Room & Board $7,820 $6,942
Avg Net Price $13,786 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 64%

Admission

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 7,290
Admitted 2,156 5,413
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 74.3%
Enrolled % 14.4% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/21 22/26
SAT Range 880/980
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 28% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $273 $240

Diversity

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
% Men 25% 42%
% Women 75% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 90%
% Black 40% 1%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
% In-State 81% 81%
% Out-of-State 13% 19%

Campus

University of West Alabama UW-La Crosse
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 5,860 students)

University of West Alabama vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or UW-La Crosse?

  • University of West Alabama is 20% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $7,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.9% higher at University of West Alabama than University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($18,200.00 vs. $16,404.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin La Crosse than University of West Alabama ($13,130 vs. $13,786)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 12.6% lower than costs at University of West Alabama ($6,942 vs. $7,820)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of West Alabama than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (89% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 173.7% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($9,291 vs. $3,395)

University of West Alabama vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (1130) is 200 points higher than at University of West Alabama (930)
  • Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of West Alabama (20)
  • Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
  • UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than University of West Alabama (68.9%)

University of West Alabama vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than University of West Alabama (68% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $11,000 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $38,500)
  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse students graduate with a $3,239 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($23,250 vs. $26,489)
  • UW-La Crosse graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($240 vs. $273)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 36%)

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