At $15,374/yr net price, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates earn $60,378/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,378/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,374 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,496 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,378/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,378/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,798/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,794/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,175/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,528/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,538/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | Master | $171,020 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $101,308 | $37,488 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,949 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $69,725 | $56,065 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $68,592 | $21,470 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $58,479 | $19,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $25,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $57,159 | $20,518 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $56,776 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $54,531 | $20,272 |
The Risk Factor
71.2% of students at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse gives you a solid financial return. With a $60,378 median salary ten years out and just $22,500 in median debt, you graduate owing less than a single year's earnings. The 85.73% retention rate and 71.20% graduation rate mean most people who start here finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether college pays off for you.
Computer and Information Sciences is the clear winner. You earn about $68,592 while carrying roughly $21,470 in debt, so your first-year salary covers your loans more than three times over. Management Information Systems ($56,776) pairs naturally with it if you want tech without pure programming. The health-adjacent tracks pay well too: Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science hits $58,479 on under $20k of debt, giving you one of the best debt-to-earnings ratios on this list. Accounting lands close behind at $57,159. Watch the Allied Health Diagnostic track: it pays $57,318 but carries the highest debt here at $25,500, so the margin is thinner than the salary alone suggests.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families heavily. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $6,798 a year. that jumps to $17,538 once income passes $110k. The middle-income squeeze is real between the $48-75k tier ($13,175) and the $75-110k tier ($16,528), where price climbs faster than aid.
This school fits you if you want business, computing, or health-science work and plan to stay in the upper Midwest job market that feeds La Crosse. Look elsewhere if your target major isn't listed among these earners, because the payoff data here concentrates in a handful of pre-professional programs. The main risk is choosing a field outside those, where the same $15,374 net price buys weaker earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Wisconsin-La Crosse worth the cost?
UW-La Crosse offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $15,374 and median debt of $22,500. Graduates earn $60,378 ten years out, which creates manageable debt-to-income ratios for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?
Biology leads with $171,020 in median earnings, while allied health programs bring in $101,308. Business and computer science graduates earn significantly less at around $69,000-$74,000.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates have?
The median debt is $22,500, which is reasonable given the school's low net price. This debt level is manageable for most graduates earning the median $60,378 salary.
What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?
UW-La Crosse has a 71% graduation rate, which means about three in ten students don't finish their degree. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially if you're considering higher-debt programs.