Students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse achieve earnings outcomes that consistently place the university in the top quarter nationally, with graduates earning well above typical expectations for similar institutions.
The combination of strong financial returns and reasonable costs creates exceptional value for students across all income levels.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse delivers a compelling combination of academic quality and financial value that places it among the stronger public university options in the Midwest. With graduates earning a median of $60,378 ten years after enrollment, the university ranks in the top 25% nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. What makes UW-La Crosse particularly attractive is how it balances selectivity with accessibility—maintaining high academic standards while keeping costs reasonable for most families.
The university serves a more traditional student population, with about 14% of students receiving Pell Grants and 21% being first-generation college students. This profile reflects UW-La Crosse's position as a "Selective Achievers" institution—one that maintains higher admission standards while still delivering strong outcomes for the students it enrolls. Graduation rates are solid, with 71% of students completing their degrees within six years.
As a medium-sized public university in Wisconsin, UW-La Crosse offers the personal attention of a smaller institution with the resources and program breadth of a larger system. The combination of strong earnings outcomes, reasonable net prices, and consistent graduation rates makes it a reliable choice for students seeking a traditional college experience with clear financial benefits.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse demonstrates program strength across traditional liberal arts and emerging technology fields. Biology leads as both the largest program and highest aggregate return major, graduating 262 students annually who contribute significantly to the university's overall economic impact despite individual earnings of $34,872. Psychology, with 207 graduates earning $29,594, provides a strong foundation for diverse career paths including graduate school, social services, and business applications.
The standout financial performer is Artificial Intelligence, where 47 graduates achieve median earnings of $68,592—nearly double the university average and demonstrating UW-La Crosse's investment in high-demand technology fields. This program represents the university's strategic positioning in emerging markets that offer substantial salary upside for graduates willing to pursue technical specializations.
What makes UW-La Crosse's program portfolio particularly effective is the balance between scale and specialization. Large programs like Biology and Psychology provide broad-based education that serves diverse career paths, while focused programs like Artificial Intelligence offer direct pathways to high-earning careers. This mix allows students to choose between foundational education that opens multiple doors and specialized training that leads to immediate financial returns, depending on their career goals and risk tolerance.
Graduates of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $60,378 ten years after enrollment placing the university in the top 25% nationally. The institution consistently produces graduates who earn well above typical expectations, with over 2,000 alumni earning more than $75,000 annually. Early career earnings start at a solid $49,626 six years out, showing steady progression as graduates establish themselves in their chosen fields.
The university's program mix drives much of this success. Biology stands out as both the largest and highest-return program, graduating 262 students annually with strong aggregate outcomes despite modest individual earnings of $34,872. Psychology, the second-largest program with 207 graduates, provides a foundation for diverse career paths with earnings around $29,594. For students seeking higher individual earnings, Artificial Intelligence represents the university's strongest financial program, with 47 graduates earning a median of $68,592—demonstrating UW-La Crosse's growing strength in emerging technology fields.
The university's location in Wisconsin provides graduates with access to diverse job markets across the upper Midwest, from Milwaukee and Madison to Minneapolis-St. Paul. This geographic positioning, combined with strong alumni networks throughout the region, helps explain why UW-La Crosse graduates consistently achieve earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally for long-term financial outcomes.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of Wisconsin families. Low-income students pay approximately $6,798 annually in net costs, well below national averages for public universities. Middle-income families see net prices around $13,175, while higher-income families pay about $17,538—all representing reasonable value given the university's strong graduation rates and earnings outcomes.
Debt levels remain manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $22,500 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $14,776. These amounts are moderate compared to many universities with similar outcomes, and the institution's zero percent federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates can successfully manage their repayment obligations. The university's loan repayment data shows that borrowers consistently outperform national averages, with higher percentages paying down balances and reaching paid-in-full status faster than typical public university graduates.
What makes UW-La Crosse particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students borrow and what they ultimately earn. With median earnings approaching $60,400 ten years out, most graduates can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules while building long-term financial security. The combination of reasonable upfront costs and strong earning potential creates a financial pathway that works for most families without requiring excessive risk or debt accumulation.
University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
