UW-La Crosse vs University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC)

Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire stand as two distinct academic havens, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share the UW System's commitment to excellence, they differ in several key aspects. UW-La Crosse boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while UW-Eau Claire maintains a slightly smaller student population. In terms of academics, UW-La Crosse excels in fields like biology, business, and health professions, while UW-Eau Claire shines in areas such as education, music, and nursing. With varying graduation rates and distinct campus cultures, these universities cater to different preferences and aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Overview
Location	Eau Claire, Wisconsin	La Crosse, Wisconsin
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	78.0%	84.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	77.5%	73.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $56	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $56
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	21 - 26	21 - 26
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score	63.0%	73.0%
Total number of applicants	9,420	7,067
Total number of admissions given out	7,297	5,219
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,253	2,217
Yield rate	30.9%	42.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $21,212 Out of state: $29,487	In state: $18,113 Out of state: $26,932
Average net price	$15,713	$12,904
Tuition	In state: $7,361 Out of state: $15,636	In state: $7,585 Out of state: $16,404
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,170 Meal plan: $3,180	Room/dormitory: $4,130 Meal plan: $2,674
Available payment plans

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	68.0% Average amount $3,571	61.0% Average amount $3,135
Students receiving federal student loan	50.0% Average amount $4,893	46.0% Average amount $5,055
Students taking out private loans	14.0% Average amount $10,302	10.0% Average amount $9,271

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,869 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%	9,400 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
Graduate students	700 Men 44.4% Women 55.6%	937 Men 34.6% Women 65.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	37.8%	18.8%
International students	2.0%	0.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,997	3,012
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Wisconsin Minnesota Illinois Iowa Florida	Wisconsin Minnesota Illinois Iowa Michigan

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Business Foreign Languages and Literatures Public Administration and Social Service	Education Health Professions Liberal Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Business
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.0%	73.0%
Dropout rate	31.0%	26.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $112,967 Year 2: $113,187 Year 3: $117,029 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,679 Year 2: $85,206 Year 3: $85,974 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,957 Year 2: $69,867 Year 3: $79,199 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,259 Year 2: $61,350 Year 3: $67,416 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,481 Year 2: $58,796 Year 3: $66,353 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,517 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $63,910 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,270 Year 2: $54,359 Year 3: $60,286 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,707 Year 2: $53,045 Year 3: $57,099 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,583 Year 2: $45,435 Year 3: $53,917 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,825 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $53,128	Biology, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $171,020 Year 3: $177,771 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,693 Year 2: $101,308 Year 3: $106,348 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,658 Year 2: $68,592 Year 3: $77,665 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $71,462 Year 2: $69,725 Year 3: $74,215 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,559 Year 2: $56,776 Year 3: $64,691 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,330 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $64,439 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,576 Year 2: $58,479 Year 3: $62,797 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,028 Year 2: $57,159 Year 3: $60,668 Insurance (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $58,509 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,712 Year 2: $50,387 Year 3: $57,534

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire?

UW-La Crosse is known for its strong science and health science programs, particularly physical therapy and occupational therapy, and its location nestled between bluffs and the Mississippi River offers unique outdoor recreational opportunities. UW-Eau Claire is recognized for its excellent music program, strong liberal arts offerings, and a vibrant campus culture with a focus on undergraduate research and immersive experiences. While both are comprehensive universities, UW-La Crosse leans slightly towards science and health, while UW-Eau Claire emphasizes arts and humanities.
Which university is better for students interested in science and health-related fields?

While both universities offer strong science programs, UW-La Crosse is generally considered to have a slight edge in science and health-related fields. Its physical therapy and occupational therapy programs are highly regarded, and its location provides access to healthcare facilities and research opportunities. However, UW-Eau Claire also has excellent science programs and strong connections to the Mayo Clinic Health System, making it a viable option as well.
Which university is better for students interested in music or the arts?

UW-Eau Claire is widely recognized for its exceptional music program. It boasts a renowned jazz program, a state-of-the-art performing arts center, and numerous opportunities for students to participate in ensembles and performances. While UW-La Crosse also offers music and arts programs, UW-Eau Claire's reputation in these areas is generally stronger.
How do the campus environments compare?

UW-La Crosse's campus is located in a more urban setting, close to downtown La Crosse and the Mississippi River. This provides easy access to restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities like hiking and biking. UW-Eau Claire's campus is situated in a more traditional college town environment, with a focus on campus life and a strong sense of community. Both campuses are walkable and offer a variety of student activities and organizations.
What are the typical class sizes at UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire?

Both UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire strive to maintain reasonable class sizes to foster a more personalized learning environment. Generally, you can expect introductory courses to be larger, while upper-level courses in your major will be smaller. Both universities have a student-to-faculty ratio that allows for meaningful interaction with professors.
How do the costs of attending UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire compare?

Tuition and fees at UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire are generally comparable, as they are both part of the University of Wisconsin System. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors such as housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. It's best to check the universities' websites for the most up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and financial aid options.
What kind of research opportunities are available at each university?

Both UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire offer undergraduate research opportunities. UW-Eau Claire has a strong emphasis on undergraduate research across various disciplines, encouraging students to engage in faculty-mentored projects. UW-La Crosse also provides research opportunities, particularly in the sciences and health-related fields, often collaborating with local healthcare providers and research institutions. Students at both universities should explore departmental websites and speak with faculty to learn about available research projects.
What are the surrounding communities like?

La Crosse is a vibrant city located on the Mississippi River, offering a mix of urban amenities and outdoor recreation. It has a thriving arts and culture scene, a variety of restaurants and shops, and access to hiking, biking, and water sports. Eau Claire is a more traditional college town with a strong sense of community. It's known for its music festivals, local breweries, and access to outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. Both cities offer a welcoming environment for students.
Which university has a stronger focus on sustainability?

Both UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire are committed to sustainability and have implemented various initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. UW-Eau Claire has been recognized for its sustainability efforts, including its renewable energy projects and waste reduction programs. UW-La Crosse also has a strong sustainability program, focusing on energy conservation, waste management, and environmental education. Students interested in sustainability will find opportunities to get involved at both universities.
What are the career services like at each university?

Both UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire offer comprehensive career services to help students prepare for their future careers. These services typically include career counseling, resume and cover letter workshops, mock interviews, and job fairs. Both universities also have strong relationships with employers in the region, providing students with internship and job opportunities. Students should take advantage of these resources to explore career options and develop the skills needed to succeed in the job market.

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