Western Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin La Crosse? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or UW-La Crosse is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin La Crosse comparison
Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin La Crosse College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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Overview

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Location Macomb, IL La Crosse, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 10,274
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #548
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $16,404
Room & Board $10,500 $6,942
Avg Net Price $11,213 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 64%

Admission

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 7,290
Admitted 6,914 5,413
Acceptance Rate 75% 74.3%
Enrolled % 15.5% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 22/26
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 53% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $255 $240

Diversity

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 90%
% Black 19% 1%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
% In-State 89% 81%
% Out-of-State 10% 19%

Campus

 Western Illinois University UW-La Crosse
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or UW-La Crosse?

  • Western Illinois University is 25.4% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $7,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 72.4% higher at UW-La Crosse than Western Illinois University ($16,404.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than UW-La Crosse ($11,213 vs. $13,130)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 51.3% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($6,942 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (94% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 360.4% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($15,632 vs. $3,395)

Western Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or UW-La Crosse? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UW-La Crosse or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (1130) is 160 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than UW-La Crosse (74.3%)

Western Illinois University vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or UW-La Crosse? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UW-La Crosse and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Western Illinois University (68% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $3,500 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $46,000)
  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse students graduate with a $1,454 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,704)
  • UW-La Crosse graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($240 vs. $255)
  • More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/