UW-La Crosse vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than UW-Stout based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

UW-La Crosse vs. UW-Stout Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-La Crosse or UW-Stout? 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 UW-Stout ($14,712 vs. $15,673).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 3.4% lower than at University of Wisconsin Stout ($8,702 vs. $9,008).
• University of Wisconsin Stout is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $631 more per year; $10,701.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at UW-La Crosse than at University of Wisconsin Stout (about $252 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $19,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Stout than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (45% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students is 40.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($6,335 vs. $4,499).

UW-La Crosse vs. UW-Stout Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UW-Stout).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26; University of Wisconsin Stout 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-La Crosse - Test optional; UW-Stout - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UW-Stout (3.35).
• UW-Stout has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.2% at UW-La Crosse vs. 24.4% at UW-Stout.

UW-La Crosse vs. UW-Stout Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-La Crosse and UW-Stout? 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 Stout's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UW-Stout graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than UW-Stout graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Stout graduates ($240 vs. $263).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Stout 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.