University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 10,446 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater is located in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater or UW-La Crosse? 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 Whitewater than UW-La Crosse ($12,709 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 7% lower than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($8,090 vs. $8,702).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $1,454 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at UW-La Crosse than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $801 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Whitewater than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (51% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students is 26.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($5,685 vs. $4,499).

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse? 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 Whitewater's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $1,721 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

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.