Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
La Crosse , WI
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a public university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Established in 1909, it is one of the 13 universities in the University of Wisconsin System. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, UW-La Crosse is known for its strong academic reputation and commitment to student success.
UW-La Crosse is recognized for its excellence in education, particularly in the fields of health sciences, business, and education. The university's health science programs, including nursing, physical therapy, and exercise science, are highly regarded and have received national recognition. Additionally, the College of Business Administration offers a variety of majors such as accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources, preparing students for successful careers in the business world. The School of Education is known for producing high-quality teachers through its comprehensive teacher education programs.
Beyond academics, UW-La Crosse provides a vibrant campus life with a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved. With over 200 student organizations, including academic clubs, cultural and diversity groups, and athletic teams, students have numerous options to pursue their passions and develop leadership skills. The university also boasts state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Student Union, fieldhouse, and wellness center, which offer a variety of amenities and resources to support students' well-being and overall college experience. With its strong academic programs and vibrant campus life, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers a well-rounded education for students seeking a fulfilling college experience.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a public university located in La Crosse, WI. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 81%. The freshman retention rate at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is 86.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Quick Facts
9,513
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
20:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Discover some essential info about admission policy and requirements at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,398 in 2025. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them.
Test Scores
1.12% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 33.03% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 15.38% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 30.77% between 1,200 and 1,399, 42.31% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 11.54% between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 13.02, 45.96 between 24-29, 37.89 in the range between 18-23, and 3.13 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 25 and the average GPA was 3.64. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 598 and an average SAT Math score of 608.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was 86.7%, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 10,459 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 19. There was a total of 9,513 undergraduate students, including 63 international students. The school admitted a total of 299 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 3,973 male and 5,405 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 183, while the number of African American students was 58. 364 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 286 as multirace. The school also had 4 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 13 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 104 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about University of Wisconsin-La Crosse estimated tuition price.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $8,750. Tuition fees were $18,668 for students coming from out of state. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $18,668, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,907 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $18,668 | $1,907 | $20,575 |
| In-State | $8,750 | $1,907 | $10,657 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. Most students have to set aside about $120 for books and supplies during their time at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $7,884. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 reached $4,693 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,160.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 8,750 |
| Room and Board | $ 7,884 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 120 |
| Total Expense | $ 16,754 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial aid for students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 762 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $8,960 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 2,239 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 2,894. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $7,237,102, and state $4,745,220. The students of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $2,214,344, and external in the amount of $3,828,256.
$1,687
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
274 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 122 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $7,237,102 while the state aid is $78,827. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,234,338. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,293,660 USD.
Majors
Faculty
20:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was 20:1. That means that there were 20 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 603 faculty members at this school. This number included 288 men and 314 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Its campus spans 128 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 201 open-membership organizations at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students interested in media and communication, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse provides a number of services important for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
All in all, campus life at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Career Counselling
At University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is located in La Crosse, WI.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is 81%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is 86.7%.
Contact Information
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1725 State St
La Crosse , WI
54601-3742
608 785-8000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
