Northland College vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Northland College in Ashland, WI with University of Wisconsin La Crosse in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (10,446 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northland College is located in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northland College 5:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Northland College vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northland College 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 University of Wisconsin La Crosse than Northland College ($14,712 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 25% lower than at Northland College ($8,702 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 340.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $34,333 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.5% higher at Northland College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $24,886 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 646.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($33,572 vs. $4,499).

Northland College vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northland College 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 Northland College.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Northland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northland College 18/25; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northland College - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• UW-La Crosse has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Northland College vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Northland College vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northland College 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 Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $3,693 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($240 vs. $278).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northland College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 73%)

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.