Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-La Crosse #512 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,457 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the 22.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $60,184, placing University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the 45.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's composite ranking reflects strong outcomes across multiple dimensions, with particularly notable performance in return on investment. Graduates earn about $9,457 less than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the institution's ability to support students into careers that outperform expectations. These results combine with solid median earnings to create durable financial outcomes.
Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-La Crosse #512 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in La Crosse, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse enrolls roughly 9,277 undergraduates. Retention is 86.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 71.0%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Wisconsin-La Crosse performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-La Crosse #815 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,184, and earn about $9,457 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the 22.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's strength in Business and related fields that lead directly into stable, well-paying careers. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse sits in the 35.6 percentile for access and the 69.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes, meanwhile, place the institution in the 84.7 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students prioritizing long-term earnings and a clear path to financial stability, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse delivers measurable value as a public master's institution with strong program-level outcomes and reasonable cost positioning.
Washington & Jefferson College's published cost of attendance is $19,593. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $8,224, middle-income families pay around $10,608, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,991. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-La Crosse #429 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Washington & Jefferson participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the college works to meet demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's aid commitment across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,958; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,184, median federal debt of $22,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $254 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a public university experience in WI. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,184, placing University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the 45.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $9,457 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 22.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 14.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 21.4% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $18,991, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $8,224 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 75.5% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented fields over STEM or health sciences. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find solid earnings trajectories and affordability.
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. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Washington & Jefferson College's published cost of attendance is $19,593. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $8,224, middle-income families pay around $10,608, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,991.
Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-La Crosse #429 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Washington & Jefferson participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the college works to meet demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans.
The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's aid commitment across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,958; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,184, median federal debt of $22,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $254 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse earn median 4-year earnings of $60,184, placing University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the 45.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-La Crosse #815 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
These outcomes reflect a focused academic portfolio anchored in business and professional fields that align with stable, well-compensated career pathways. The earnings pattern centers on business and accounting disciplines.
Biology, General emerges as the institution's highest-aggregate-return major, combining substantial enrollment with solid mid-career earnings. The Biology, General program graduates 247 students annually and earns median 4-year earnings of $67,446, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field.
Finance and Kinesiology follow with 192 and 190 graduates respectively, earning $76,227 and $58,233 four years after enrollment. Psychology, General and Digital Marketing round out the largest programs, with four-year earnings of $55,173 and $61,191.
The concentration in Business — representing 25% of degrees — drives the institution's consistent return profile and employer recruitment strength in regional business and finance sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Southern Maine Similar quality tier (#15546 ranked) | ME | 79% | $49,958 | #15546 | Compare |
Mcneese State University Similar quality tier (#15553 ranked) | LA | 78% | $46,453 | #15553 | Compare |
Westfield State University Similar quality tier (#15566 ranked) | MA | 81% | $57,346 | #15566 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Stout Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15531 ranked) | WI | 88% | $58,084 | #15531 | Compare |
Suny College At Geneseo Similar quality tier (#15528 ranked) | NY | 66% | $67,316 | #15528 | Compare |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
46 graduates
Physics
12 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
19 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
77 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
192 graduates
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's liberal-arts-with-career-focus identity. Biology, General is the largest program with 247 graduates, followed by Finance, Kinesiology, Psychology, General, and Digital Marketing.
Across 39 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied-professional and quantitative fields.
Accounting leads with median earnings of $78,296 four years after enrollment, followed by Finance at $76,227, Business Administration at $67,521, Biology, General at $67,446, and Digital Marketing at $61,191. The concentration of Business — representing 25% of graduates — combined with Social Sciences at 7% and Education at 7%, positions the college to support graduates into stable, direct-to-workforce career pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
As a smaller private liberal-arts college, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates roughly 2,131 students annually across its program portfolio. This scale enables close faculty-student relationships and individualized career advising while maintaining sufficient cohort size in core programs to support employer recruitment and alumni network visibility in regional markets.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with labor-market demand in the Mid-Atlantic region.
