WKU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 10,446 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky 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 Kentucky University 19:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

WKU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU 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 Western Kentucky University than UW-La Crosse ($12,548 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 30.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,702 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $1,582 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at WKU than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $7,483 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (99% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 142.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($10,921 vs. $4,499).

WKU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU 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 WKU.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

WKU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU 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 Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($240 vs. $250).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 47%)

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.