Western Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with University of Wisconsin La Crosse in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois 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: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 23.1% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,702 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.9% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Western Illinois University (about $4,253 more per year; $19,517 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (53% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 233.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($14,994 vs. $4,499).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at UW-La Crosse than at Western Illinois University (24 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at UW-La Crosse.
• Enrolled first-year students at UW-La Crosse average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $1,454 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($240 vs. $255).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.