UW-La Crosse vs. UWSP

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than UWSP based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 8,233 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 Stevens Point is in Stevens Point, WI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 21:1.

UW-La Crosse vs. UWSP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-La Crosse or UWSP? 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 UWSP ($14,712 vs. $14,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 1.1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point ($8,702 vs. $8,800).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWSP (about $582 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $9,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at UW-La Crosse than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (about $1,009 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $18,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (79% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Stevens Point students is 11.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($5,014 vs. $4,499).

UW-La Crosse vs. UWSP Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at UWSP).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-La Crosse - Test optional; UWSP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWSP Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UWSP (3.27).
• UWSP has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.2% at UW-La Crosse vs. 23.5% at UWSP.

UW-La Crosse vs. UWSP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-La Crosse and UWSP? 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 Stevens Point's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than UWSP graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $1,110 lower median loan debt than UWSP graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,360).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWSP graduates ($240 vs. $251).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWSP students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.