ISU vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with University of Wisconsin La Crosse in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 10,446 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

ISU vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UW-La Crosse? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Idaho State University than UW-La Crosse ($12,174 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 9.4% lower than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($7,882 vs. $8,702).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $1,460 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42% higher at ISU than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $8,203 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (91% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 104.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($9,217 vs. $4,499).

ISU vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or UW-La Crosse? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UW-La Crosse and ISU.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ISU (3.41).

ISU vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UW-La Crosse? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Wisconsin La Crosse's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Idaho State University graduates have a $300 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($22,950 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.