UW-La Crosse vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin La Crosse in La Crosse, WI with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 9,051 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is located in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

UW-La Crosse vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-La Crosse or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than UW-La Crosse ($7,916 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 2.3% lower than at Purdue University Northwest ($8,702 vs. $8,907).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $1,395 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Purdue University Northwest (about $3,423 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Northwest than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (89% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Purdue University Northwest students is 55.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($6,992 vs. $4,499).

UW-La Crosse vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-La Crosse or Purdue Northwest? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purdue Northwest and UW-La Crosse.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresPurdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-La Crosse - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.2% at UW-La Crosse vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

UW-La Crosse vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-La Crosse and Purdue Northwest? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Wisconsin La Crosse's six-year graduation rate is 68%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Purdue Northwest.
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse have median earnings of about $49,500 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Purdue Northwest.

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.