UW-La Crosse Admission Requirements

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#2 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

UW-La Crosse Admission Overview

UW-La Crosse admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UW-La Crosse admitted 75.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (A-) and ACT 22-26. UW-La Crosse is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UW-La Crosse Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

75.5%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Acceptance Rate

The UW-La Crosse acceptance rate is 75.5%. Last year, 5,388 of 7,136 applicants were admitted. That is the 14th lowest acceptance rate in Wisconsin.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UW-La Crosse and can you get accepted?

UW-La Crosse is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 43% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UW-La Crosse GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.6

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.6

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UW-La Crosse typically have around a 3.6 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. UW-La Crosse is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #4 in Wisconsin for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of Wisconsin La Crosse freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 3.48% Good
3.75 to 3.99 34.46% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 30.85% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 20.59% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.76% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.72% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.14% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UW-La Crosse SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen who sent SAT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Wisconsin La Crosse

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UW-La Crosse ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

34%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 21
  • Math 22
  • Composite 22
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Wisconsin La Crosse

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 26
  • Composite 26
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UW-La Crosse typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 22–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UW-La Crosse places #13 among colleges in Wisconsin for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to UW-La Crosse without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Wisconsin La Crosse
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
26+ Above 75th >86%
24 to 26 Avg + 76%-86%
22 to 24 Avg - 62%-76%
Below 22 Below mid-50 <62%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

55% of University of Wisconsin La Crosse freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 20% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Wisconsin La Crosse students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 55%
Top 50% of class 95%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UW-La Crosse chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,128 3,005 7,136
Accepted 3,264 2,122 5,388
Acceptance Rate 79% 71% 76%
Enrolled 1,393 932 2,325
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 43% 44% 43%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Wisconsin La Crosse and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Wisconsin La Crosse application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Wisconsin La Crosse is $25.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UW-La Crosse is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 75.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of Wisconsin La Crosse often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=240329.

GPA calculator: University of Wisconsin La Crosse GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026