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.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
UW-La Crosse enrolls 14.2% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 7 students receive federal grants for lower-income families. This share is below the national average for public universities, suggesting the institution serves fewer students from lower-income backgrounds than typical state universities. First-generation students represent 21.4% of the student body, meaning about 1 in 5 students are the first in their families to attend college. Transfer students comprise 13.5% of enrollment, indicating limited transfer pathways compared to institutions with broader community college partnerships. This student composition suggests UW-La Crosse primarily serves traditional college-bound students from middle and upper-middle-income families, with more limited representation of students from lower-income backgrounds. The relatively low Pell share may reflect the institution's Wisconsin location and regional recruitment patterns, as well as its moderately selective admission standards. First-generation students should know that 21.4% of enrolled students share their background, providing a meaningful community of peers with similar experiences. Students from lower-income families should consider the 14.2% Pell share when assessing institutional fit and support systems. Transfer applicants should note the limited 13.5% transfer enrollment, which may indicate fewer dedicated transfer pathways or support programs compared to institutions with higher transfer shares.
Given UW-La Crosse's 73% acceptance rate and competitive test scores, qualified students have reasonable admission prospects, though backup options remain important for comprehensive college planning.
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UW-La Crosse demonstrates strong student success outcomes once students enroll. 85.7% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 73.2%, indicating above-average retention and early student satisfaction. The institution graduates 71.2% of students within six years, substantially higher than the peer median of 49.3%, demonstrating effective degree completion support. Pell-eligible students graduate at 67.0%, representing a 4.2 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap indicates some challenges for lower-income students but remains within reasonable bounds for institutions of this type. The relatively small Pell gap suggests UW-La Crosse provides adequate support systems for students from lower-income backgrounds, though outcomes vary by student population. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with retention and graduation rates well above national averages for public universities. Lower-income students should weigh the 4.2 percentage point Pell gap when considering this institution, while recognizing that two-thirds of Pell students successfully graduate. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment they'll experience, with most students successfully progressing through their degree programs. The institution's track record suggests admitted students have strong prospects for degree completion across different demographic groups.
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