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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse says yes to 75.5% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $60,378 median earnings.
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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse sits in La Crosse proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $93,633 four years out. 14.4% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 9,277 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 86.5% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 21 and 27 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse received 7,312 applications and admitted 5,356 (73.2%), with 2,301 enrolling.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's submitters' middle half scored 21–27 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 21 | 24 | 27 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How University of Wisconsin-La Crosse compares
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | Wisconsin median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 75.5% | 81.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $10,070 | $33,396 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $60,378 | $55,452 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: $60,378 median at year ten, versus $55,452 across Wisconsin institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $10,070 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $19,517. For non-residents, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's $19,517 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 9,277 undergrads, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
71% of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students finish a bachelor's within six years — 16.1 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $10,070 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $93,633 |
| Physics | $80,594 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $80,552 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $78,296 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $76,227 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $75,197 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $73,439 |
| Economics | $71,768 |
| International Business | $71,022 |
| Mathematics | $69,288 |
| Insurance | $69,283 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $68,454 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,521 |
| Biology, General | $67,446 |
| Marketing | $61,191 |
| Public Administration | $60,079 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $58,908 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $58,233 |
| Political Science and Government | $57,256 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,470 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $55,614 |
| Public Health | $55,418 |
| Psychology, General | $55,173 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,218 |
| History | $50,745 |
| Sociology | $50,737 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | $47,047 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,328 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,043 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $44,710 |
| Archeology | $42,939 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,880 |
Median earnings for these 32 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $60,378 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 13 additional University of Wisconsin-La Crosse programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?
The middle 50% of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's submitters earned ACT composites of 21–27; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's acceptance rate?
73.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 5,356 admitted from 7,312 applicants.
How much does University of Wisconsin-La Crosse cost?
In-state tuition is $10,070; out-of-state students pay $19,517. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $60,378 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Lutheran College — 78.2% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside — 75.4% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — 82.3% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls — 81.7% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.