University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

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Flexible, First-Rate Midwest Higher Education at UWL

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse appears in our ranking of 100 Affordable Public Schools With High 40-Year ROIs.

Ranked America’s 112th top public college by Forbes, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a coed, doctoral-granting AASCU member that delivers 102 undergraduate and 33 graduate degrees, including 13 fully online, plus the Concurrent Enrollment Program at a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the Music Education B.S. builds a 120-credit, NASM-accredited path to EC-A teacher certification with opportunities intern at Lincoln Middle School, join the Symphonic Band, and perform in Annett Recital Hall. Chaired by Dr. Colin Belby, the 120-credit Geography B.S. encourages undergrads to conduct Paleoenvironmental Lab research, join Gamma Theta Upsilon, intern with the Mississippi Valley Conservancy, travel abroad from Ireland to India, and participate in the Earth Day Hike.

Online on Desire2Learn, the Healthcare Administration M.S. follows a 37-credit, 1.5-year Extended Campus plan led by Dr. Jeanette Black with 13 courses like Human Capital Management and Population Health for 98 percent job placement at a $98,350 average starting wage. Founded in 1969, the School Psychology Ed.S. has a 28-course, NASP-approved curriculum for three years of practitioner-scientist training with 700 practicum hours, 1,200-hour internships, thesis research, and WSPA Convention participation.

Other La Cross degrees include the Accountancy B.S., Radiation Therapy B.S., English Literature B.A., Actuarial Science B.S., Sociology B.A., Reading M.S.Ed., Information Technology Management M.S., Medical Dosimetry M.S., Therapeutic Recreation M.S., and Biology M.S.

About the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse originated on March 19, 1905, when Sen. Thomas Morris introduced a bill to fund the La Crosse Normal School for $10,000. In Spring 1909, President Fassett A. Cotton opened the doors to Main Hall for teacher education. In 1912, Physical Education Club became the school’s earliest student organization. In 1927, it was renamed La Crosse State Teachers College as a four-year bachelor’s program began. In 1931, the well-known “Hanging of the Lantern” tradition started at Homecoming. By 1951, it was called the Wisconsin State College La Crosse. Five years later, the first Master of Science degree was launched. On May 11, 1959, La Crosse hosted a speech by presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. Two decades later, it joined the University of Wisconsin System. In 1992, UWL founded the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium. In 2001, La Crosse won four NCAA Division III national championships simultaneously.

Endowed for $27.7 million, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse now employs 578 faculty teaching 9,727 undergrad and 870 post-grad Eagles from 43 countries online or on its 128-acre Western Wisconsin campus with 220+ clubs like the Financial Management Association. In 2006, La Crosse won a PGMS Green Star Grand Award. In 2013, La Crosse received the CHEA Outstanding Institutional Practices in Student Learning Outcomes Award. UWL accepted a 2019 Gold Seal for Excellence in Student Voter Engagement too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 160th for public health and 36th for physical therapy. On Niche, UWL boasts America’s 96th top public education and 121st best student life. Men’s Health crowned La Crosse the 12th fittest college. Kiplinger’s declared UWL the 64th best public value. Washington Monthly named UWL the 215th top master’s institution.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Accreditation Details

On July 1, 2016, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse received an Institutional Status & Requirements Report from the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to reaffirm the Level V accreditation through 2025-26 under Chancellor Joe Gow, Ph.D., who earned the Alfie Award for Distinguished Service. Located 280 miles east via Interstate 90 in Chicago, this giant 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The Academic Affairs Office also lists the following degree approvals:

  • Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • National Association for School Psychologists
  • Accreditation Review Committee on Education for PAs
  • Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education
  • Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Radiologic Technology
  • Council on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
  • Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Application Requirements

Getting in the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 4,730 of the 6,048 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for 78 percent acceptance. First-year Eagles must finish high school with 17+ college-prep units or pass the GED equivalency exam. The Concurrent Enrollment Program only allows juniors and seniors ranking in the upper 25th percentile of their class. The Class of 2022 reported an average 3.49 GPA. Freshmen achieve a median 25 ACT and 1174 SAT score. Transfers need at least 2.25 cumulative GPAs at regionally accredited colleges. GPAs of 2.0 or higher at UW System branches are acceptable. International undergrads need a minimum 6.0 IELTS, 73 TOEFL iBT, or 54 PTE score. The Graduate Studies Office demands a four-year bachelor’s completion with a 2.85 or better GPA. Occupational Therapy M.S. cohorts present a mean 150 verbal and 151 quantitative GRE score. College of Business Administration programs have a 547 GMAT score average.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has rolling admission starting January 1st for Fall and September 1st for Spring. February 1st is the priority freshman deadline. Non-U.S. undergrads must file before July 15th or December 15th. The Graduate Studies Office has diverse program-specific deadlines though. For instance, the Student Affairs Administration M.S.Ed. closes on April 15th. The Doctor of Physical Therapy enforces a November 1st deadline. Nurse Anesthesia – Biology M.S. cohorts apply between July 1st and September 1st. Prospective Eagles must complete the $50 UW System Application online accordingly. Forward official transcripts to 1725 State Street in La Crosse, WI 54601. Send tests using SAT/GRE code 1914 or ACT code 4672. Contact (608) 785-8939 or [email protected] about further steps.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2020-21, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will charge in-state undergrads $9,270 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition will be $18,090 by year. The Midwest Student Exchange Program lowers costs to $12,420. Traditional double rooms at La Crosse dorms like Wentz Hall are $4,000 yearly. Eagle meal plans for Whitney Center are $2,595 extra. UWL budgets $1,200 for books and $1,956 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual undergrad attendance averages $17,514 in-state or $26,183 out-of-state. International students pay $29,319 each year. Standard graduate programs bill Wisconsinites $578 and non-residents $1,133 per credit. Doctor of Physical Therapy cohorts spend $819 to $1,676 per credit. The Physician Assistant M.S. costs $672 to $1,338 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Graff Main Hall Room 215 connects 79 percent of new full-time UWL Eagles to tuition assistance averaging $3,083 apiece for $3.65 million combined. University funds include the Heidi Gustafson Eldred Scholarship, Sambar Family Scholarship, Lindy Shannon Music Scholarship, Strzelczyk Physical Therapy Scholarship, Genevieve Carnes Memorial Scholarship, James Reynolds Scholarship, Nick Holcomb CBA Scholarship, Oliver Stoffer Science Scholarship, Robert Jed Huff Memorial Scholarship, Wells Fargo Merit Banking Scholarship, Rena Angell Scholarship, Betty Wenzel Brown Scholarship, and Kathryn Cappelen Teaching Scholarship. The Eagle Apprentice Scholars Program gifts $3,000 total to 25 freshmen ranking in the top 95th percentile with minimum 30 ACT scores. The $1,000 Ruth Benson Study Abroad Grant has a March 31st deadline for upperclassmen with GPAs above 3.0. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 003919. Wisconsinites may also utilize the Talent Incentive Program Grant, Higher Education Grant, Indian Student Assistance Grant, Academic Excellence Scholarship, and more.

Explore five fantastic schools conferring 90+ affordable, accredited degrees at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse website.