WWU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare William Woods University in Fulton, MO 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 WWU based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Woods University is located in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Woods University 16:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

WWU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WWU 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 La Crosse than WWU ($14,712 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 33.3% lower than at William Woods University ($8,702 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 201.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $20,270 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at WWU than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $10,823 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (99% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 393.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($22,204 vs. $4,499).

WWU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WWU or UW-La Crosse? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UW-La Crosse and WWU.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WWU - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WWU (3.4).
• UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at WWU vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

WWU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WWU and UW-La Crosse? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Wisconsin La Crosse's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than William Woods University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $1,813 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($21,437 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($221 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WWU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 68%)

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.