UW-La Crosse vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is located in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

UW-La Crosse vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-La Crosse or WLC? 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 WLC ($14,712 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 29% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($8,702 vs. $12,250).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 258.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $26,040 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85% higher at WLC than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $16,593 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 447.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($24,624 vs. $4,499).

UW-La Crosse vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming WLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UW-La Crosse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-La Crosse - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WLC (3.54).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.2% at UW-La Crosse vs. 20.2% at WLC.

UW-La Crosse vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-La Crosse and WLC? 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WLC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

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.