UW-La Crosse combines moderately selective admissions with strong economic mobility outcomes. The institution ranks in the 85th percentile for mobility while maintaining above-average earnings that exceed peer institutions by over $10,000 annually, supporting long-term career advancement for graduates.
Above-average long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Controlled costs and manageable debt levels
Below-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to similar institutions
The university's ability to generate economic advancement despite serving fewer low-income students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisStrong mobility outcomes with selective standards
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse ranks #365 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 85.3rd percentile. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 73.2% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 14.2% Pell-eligible students and 21.4% first-generation students, positioning it below typical accessibility measures for public universities. Graduates earn $60,378 ten years after enrollment, placing UW-La Crosse at the 72nd percentile for long-term earnings.
Earnings fall $1,530 below expectations based on student demographics, ranking around the national average on this measure. Compared to a peer median of $50,116, graduates earn $10,262 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions, limited low-income access, and strong economic outcomes places UW-La Crosse within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
UW-La Crosse delivers strong earnings outcomes relative to educational investment. Graduates earn a median of $60,378 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 72nd percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $44,880 at the 25th percentile to $81,523 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines. While graduates earn $1,530 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, this places the institution around the national average on earnings beyond expectations.
Students seeking strong outcomes at a public university with moderately selective standards, particularly those interested in healthcare, business, or biological sciences. Well-suited for Wisconsin residents looking for value with above-average earnings potential and manageable debt levels.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-wisconsin-la-crosse/analysis.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse admits approximately 73.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UW-La Crosse in the moderately selective category, making it more accessible than highly competitive institutions while maintaining standards above open-access universities.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that UW-La Crosse is more selective than typical public universities of similar size and mission. This 11.3 percentage point difference suggests the institution can be more choosy in building its incoming class while remaining accessible to a broad range of qualified students.
For Wisconsin residents and students seeking a public university education, UW-La Crosse represents a middle ground between the most competitive UW System campuses and less selective regional institutions. Students should expect moderate competition for admission but reasonable prospects for qualified applicants.
Prospective students should treat UW-La Crosse as a target school if their academic credentials align with enrolled student profiles, while building a balanced college list that includes both more and less selective options. The moderately selective environment means that strong academic preparation and demonstrated interest can meaningfully influence admission outcomes.
Understanding this selectivity level helps students approach their applications with appropriate expectations and preparation strategies.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's published cost of attendance is $18,115 per year for Wisconsin residents—that's $9,651 in in-state tuition, $7,960 for room and board, and $120 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $18,691 in tuition.
However, the average student pays just $15,374 after financial aid, representing savings of $2,741 through institutional and federal aid programs. This net price sits $1,281 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating relatively affordable costs compared to similar public universities.
The cost structure reflects UW-La Crosse's position as a public institution with moderate aid distribution, serving primarily middle-income families while maintaining accessibility for qualified students. Financial aid savings are more modest than at institutions with larger endowments or higher sticker prices, but the lower base cost creates reasonable affordability for Wisconsin families.
The institution's net price performance places it in competitive position among regional public universities, particularly for students from moderate-income backgrounds who may not qualify for substantial need-based aid at higher-priced institutions.
UW-La Crosse graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $49,626 six years after enrollment to $57,231 at eight years and $60,378 at ten years, representing 21.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,794 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $1,530 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UW-La Crosse around the national average for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $50,300, ranking at the 75th percentile nationally and demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $44,880 at the 25th percentile to $81,523 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
The ratio between top and bottom quartiles is 1.8:1, indicating moderate variation in outcomes. Approximately 24.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
With nearly 2,800 graduates included in the earnings cohort, these figures reflect outcomes across the institution's diverse academic portfolio.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Wisconsin-Platteville Similar quality tier in Midwest (#363 ranked) | WI | 87% | $61,760 | #363 | Compare |
Radford University Similar quality tier (#360 ranked) | VA | 91% | $53,739 | #360 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke Similar quality tier (#365 ranked) | NC | 92% | $43,407 | #365 | Compare |
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Similar quality tier (#366 ranked) | TX | 89% | $51,865 | #366 | Compare |
Central Michigan University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#359 ranked) | MI | 91% | $55,874 | #359 | Compare |
Artificial Intelligence.
47 graduates
Acoustics.
34 graduates
Information Resources Management.
15 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other.
54 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
96 graduates
UW-La Crosse offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Biology, General ranks #29 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, producing 262 graduates with median earnings of $57,123 and a value score of 92.4.
Artificial Intelligence ranks #127 nationally and #6 in Wisconsin, graduating 47 students with median earnings of $84,506. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ranks #17 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, with 54 graduates earning $68,666.
Psychology, General ranks #52 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, graduating 207 students with median earnings of $47,929. Accounting Technology ranks #140 nationally and #4 in Wisconsin, with 96 graduates earning $68,207.
Communication and Media Studies ranks #66 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 103 students with median earnings of $50,597. Several programs demonstrate flagship status at the institution, including Biology, Psychology, and Exercise Science, which together represent nearly 31% of all graduates with earnings data.
