Western New Mexico University vs. UW-La Crosse

Should I go to Western New Mexico University or University of Wisconsin La Crosse? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western New Mexico University or UW-La Crosse is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western New Mexico University vs. University of Wisconsin La Crosse comparison
Western New Mexico University University of Wisconsin La Crosse College 3 College 4
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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Overview

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
Location Silver City, NM La Crosse, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 3,378 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wnmu.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $4,770 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $11,400 $16,404
Room & Board $10,940 $6,942
Avg Net Price $10,676 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $8,967 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 64%

Admission

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 7,290
Admitted - 5,413
Acceptance Rate Open 74.3%
Enrolled % Open 43%
Avg High School GPA 2.5 3.6
Typical High School Grades C+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/26
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 12, 2025

Academics

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 13% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,600 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 34% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,686 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $213 $240

Diversity

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
% Men 33% 42%
% Women 67% 58%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 29% 90%
% Black 7% 1%
% Hispanic 51% 3%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
% In-State 75% 81%
% Out-of-State 23% 19%

Campus

Western New Mexico University UW-La Crosse
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than Western New Mexico University based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 3,378 students)

Western New Mexico University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western New Mexico University or UW-La Crosse?

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 59% more expensive to attend than Western New Mexico University for in-state tuition ($7,585.00 vs. $4,770.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.9% higher at UW-La Crosse than Western New Mexico University ($16,404.00 vs. $11,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western New Mexico University than UW-La Crosse ($10,676 vs. $13,130)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 57.6% lower than costs at Western New Mexico University ($6,942 vs. $10,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western New Mexico University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (89% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western New Mexico University students is 164.1% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($8,967 vs. $3,395)

Which college is harder to get into, Western New Mexico University or UW-La Crosse? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UW-La Crosse or Western New Mexico University .

  • Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 1.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5)

Western New Mexico University vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western New Mexico University or UW-La Crosse? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UW-La Crosse and Western New Mexico University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Western New Mexico University (68% vs. 13%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $13,900 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $35,600)
  • Western New Mexico University students graduate with a $2,564 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($20,686 vs. $23,250)
  • Western New Mexico University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than UW-La Crosse graduates. ($213 vs. $240)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/