UW-La Crosse vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 5,243 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 River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin River Falls is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

UW-La Crosse vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-La Crosse or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls ($14,712 vs. $14,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 8.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($7,982 vs. $8,702).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 11.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $1,062 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $9,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at UW-La Crosse than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $2,047 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $17,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin River Falls than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (81% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students is 7.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($4,499 vs. $4,176).

UW-La Crosse vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-La Crosse or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and UW-La Crosse.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-La Crosse - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (3.44).
• University of Wisconsin-River Falls has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.2% at UW-La Crosse vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

UW-La Crosse vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-La Crosse and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 River Falls's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $525 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($22,725 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($234 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Wisconsin-River Falls students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 75%)

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.