UW-La Crosse vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 10,446 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UW-La Crosse vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-La Crosse or UWM? 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 UWM ($14,712 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 25.5% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,702 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $328 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at UWM than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $2,881 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (91% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students is 41.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($6,347 vs. $4,499).

UW-La Crosse vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-La Crosse or UWM? 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 UWM and UW-La Crosse.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at UWM).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-La Crosse - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.2% at UW-La Crosse vs. 23.8% at UWM.

UW-La Crosse vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-La Crosse and UWM? 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 Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than UWM graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $1,708 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 62%)

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.