WVSU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare West Virginia State University in Institute, WV 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 La Crosse is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Virginia State University is located in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• West Virginia State University 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: West Virginia State University 13:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

WVSU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WVSU 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 West Virginia State University than UW-La Crosse ($11,055 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 35.6% lower than at West Virginia State University ($8,702 vs. $13,522).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $500 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at UW-La Crosse than at West Virginia State University (about $4,527 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia State University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (88% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia State University students is 99.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($8,993 vs. $4,499).

WVSU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WVSU 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 WVSU.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at WVSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Virginia State University 15/20; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WVSU - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.5% at WVSU vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

WVSU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WVSU 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 West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse and WVSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,250 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Wisconsin La Crosse and WVSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($240 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 35%)

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.