Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse vary significantly by field of study, ranging from high-earning technical fields to more modest returns in education and liberal arts. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and align your academic interests with career outcomes.
Analyzing 36 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at UW-La Crosse.
#125 nationally
$50K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Engineering and technology programs show promising outcomes with Artificial Intelligence leading at $84,506 in median earnings, though with a moderate national ranking of #127. The program graduates 47 students annually, representing a specialized but smaller pathway.
Computer science and related technical programs at UW-La Crosse provide solid preparation for technology careers, though they may not reach the earnings levels of top-tier engineering schools. This group suits students seeking technical careers with above-average earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. | #125 | $84,506 |
Programs at the same institution produce different outcomes because career paths, industry demand, and required skills vary significantly by field of study. These rankings reflect labor market results based on College Scorecard data, not academic prestige or program reputation. Earnings and debt figures represent actual graduate outcomes tracked by the Department of Education, providing objective measures of post-graduation success. Rankings compare programs against similar majors nationwide, helping students understand competitive position within each field. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger programs generally providing more stable outcome measures. Students should consider these outcomes alongside personal interests and career goals when selecting academic programs.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| — |
| 47 |
Business programs at UW-La Crosse demonstrate varied outcomes, with Accounting Technology delivering the strongest earnings at $68,207 and Banking and Financial Support Services producing $65,752. Digital Marketing graduates earn $56,901 with relatively low debt, while Business Administration shows more modest outcomes at $56,500.
Applied Economics ranks nationally but produces lower returns at $57,423. This group is best suited for students prioritizing practical business skills over theoretical approaches, with technical specializations outperforming general management programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Resources Management.Small sample | #72 | $69,666★ | — | 15 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #138 | $68,207 | — | 96 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #79 | $65,752 | $21,103 | 170 |
| Digital Marketing. | #77 | $56,901 | $14,540 | 122 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #234 | $56,500 | — | 105 |
| International Business.Small sample | #65 | $42,682 | — | 13 |
Health professions at UW-La Crosse deliver strong outcomes across multiple specializations. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ranks #17 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin with graduates earning $68,666.
Animal-Assisted Therapy ranks #7 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, producing earnings of $50,331 with a small cohort of 59 students. Behavioral Aspects of Health graduates earn $42,887, reflecting the diverse career paths within health sciences.
These programs are best suited for students seeking healthcare careers with strong employment prospects and specialized skills.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #17 | $68,666★ | — | 54 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist. | #26 | $65,980 | — | 23 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy. | #8 | $50,331 | — | 59 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #73 | $42,887 | — | 56 |
Science programs demonstrate solid career preparation with Biology, General leading the way at $57,123 in median earnings while ranking #29 nationally. The program graduates 262 students annually, making it one of the institution's largest successful programs with a value score of 92.4.
Acoustics produces higher earnings at $70,182 but with a much smaller cohort of 34 students. These programs are well-suited for students seeking graduate school preparation or direct entry into scientific careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustics. | #29 | $70,182★ | — | 34 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #109 | $65,134 | — | 25 |
| Biology, General. | #29 | $57,123 | $19,497 | 262 |
| Analytical Chemistry.Small sample | #117 | $54,233 | — | 12 |
| Immunology. | #34 | $46,419 | — | 28 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.Small sample | #112 | $31,133 | — | 14 |
Social sciences programs offer diverse pathways with Psychology, General ranking #52 nationally and graduating 207 students with median earnings of $47,929. Applied/Public Sociology produces similar earnings at $44,586 while ranking #109 nationally.
These programs demonstrate the institution's strength in preparing students for human services, research, and policy careers. This group is ideal for students planning graduate study or careers emphasizing social impact over maximum earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #184 | $57,423★ | — | 45 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #214 | $49,953 | — | 35 |
| Psychology, General. | #54 | $47,929 | $16,375 | 207 |
| Public Administration, Other. | #25 | $47,804 | — | 24 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #55 | $45,633 | — | 26 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #118 | $44,586 | — | 52 |
| Archeology. | — | $34,960 | — | 31 |
Communication and Media Studies ranks #66 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 103 students with median earnings of $50,597. The program demonstrates strong value with reasonable debt levels at $18,140 and competitive outcomes for the communications field.
This represents a solid choice for students seeking media, marketing, or communications careers with above-average prospects in a competitive field.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #64 | $50,597 | $18,140 | 103 |
Humanities programs provide foundational liberal arts education with varied career outcomes. English Language and Literature graduates earn $44,660 while ranking #100 nationally, demonstrating competitive performance in a challenging field.
Catalan Language and Literature produces earnings of $45,203, reflecting specialized language study opportunities. These programs are best suited for students planning graduate study, teaching careers, or roles requiring strong communication and analytical skills.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #91 | $45,203★ | — | 53 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #102 | $44,660 | — | 55 |
| American History (United States). | #239 | $40,945 | — | 20 |
| Brass Instruments.Small sample | #95 | $39,009 | — | 12 |
| Acting.Small sample | #39 | $36,302 | — | 12 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #248 | $28,536 | — | 24 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics.Small sample | — | $20,140 | — | 7 |
Education programs focus on teacher preparation and adult learning with Adult and Continuing Education graduates earning $43,241. The program ranks #103 nationally and graduates 122 students annually, reflecting steady demand for education professionals.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates earn $43,696 while ranking #95 nationally, serving both education and health promotion pathways. These programs are ideal for students committed to teaching and educational service careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #115 | $44,538★ | — | 43 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #106 | $43,241 | — | 122 |
Interdisciplinary programs like Exercise Science and Kinesiology bridge multiple fields, graduating 189 students with earnings of $43,696. These programs reflect UW-La Crosse's strength in health-related studies and provide pathways to physical therapy, sports medicine, and wellness careers.
This group suits students interested in applied health sciences and movement-related professions with diverse career applications.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management. | #15 | $44,151★ | — | 30 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #96 | $43,696 | $18,513 | 189 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
