Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
La Crosse, Wisconsin
73.3% Acceptance Rate
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
73.3%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
1190Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$18,115Annual Cost
$60,378Grad Salary
14.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
73.3%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
1190
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1220
ACT Middle 50%
21–27
Avg Net Price
$15,374
Need-Based Aid
14.2% receive Pell
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is Wisconsin's top-ranked comprehensive university with strengths in health professions. The campus includes the new Prairie Springs Science Center. UW-L's 'Eagle Advantage' guarantees experiential learning.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Acceptance Rate
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is moderately selective. 73.3% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 73.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.15
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is 3.6. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.30 and 3.6? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.80–4.00.University of Wisconsin-La Crosse GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.20 – 3.39
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.19
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate: approximately 75% (2024?25: ~7,136 applicants, ~5,388 admitted); the February 1 priority deadline gates full-consideration review - applications after that date are space-available only.
- Essays are required through the Universities of Wisconsin Application: a common character essay plus UWL-specific prompts (250?650 words each) including an optional "why UWL" response and a life-experiences prompt; the Common App is accepted but the UWL-specific essays still apply.
- UWL superscores both ACT and SAT across all test dates; approximately 73% of enrolled students submit ACT scores with a median composite of 25 (25th percentile: 22, 75th percentile: 27); test-optional policy is in effect.
- Wisconsin resident high school seniors in the top 10% of their junior-year class rank may qualify for guaranteed admission; UWL's health professions programs (physical therapy, medical dosimetry, nuclear medicine technology, athletic training) are among the most competitive programs and fill earliest each cycle.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Without SAT or ACT?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Average SAT Score: 1190
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is 1190 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1190 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1220 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Wisconsin-La Crosse allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1150, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1190 | 1150 | 1220 |
Below 1150, you're behind most admitted students; at 1220 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 23 | 20 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 27 |
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply Through the Universities of Wisconsin Application - Not Common App - and Write the Essays
UW-La Crosse does not use the Common App as its primary application vehicle; it uses the shared Universities of Wisconsin Application, which has its own essay system. The application requires a personal essay (the shared UW prompt about the student's character or contribution), plus UW-La Crosse-specific essays: one required prompt offering a choice of either explaining circumstances that affected academic performance or stating "why UW-La Crosse and what aspects of campus are important to you," and a second prompt asking about life experiences, talents, commitments, and interests the student would bring to campus. All essay responses should be 250?650 words. Students accustomed to Common App workflows often miss that this system is entirely separate.
Treat the "Why UWL" Essay as a Demonstrated-Interest Signal in a Holistic Process
UWL explicitly states it takes a holistic approach considering rigor of coursework, GPA, ACT/SAT, extracurriculars, leadership, essays, and letters of recommendation - an unusually detailed list for a school at this selectivity range. The "why UW-La Crosse" prompt is a genuine differentiator in this process: a student who can name the specific physical therapy, medical dosimetry, nuclear medicine, or athletic training programs - areas where UWL has nationally regarded health science offerings - signals genuine research. Generic answers about La Crosse's "natural beauty" are frequently cited in admissions commentary as weak responses to this prompt.
Know That Wisconsin Residents May Qualify for Guaranteed Admission
UW-La Crosse has a guaranteed admission pathway for Wisconsin high school seniors: top 10% of class rank upon completing junior year, or meeting specific ACT/GPA combinations outlined by the Universities of Wisconsin system. Non-Wisconsin students do not have access to this pathway and are subject to the standard holistic review. The February 1 priority deadline is the threshold for "full consideration" - applications completed after February 1 are reviewed on a space-available basis, which introduces meaningful uncertainty for out-of-state students who apply late in a popular program like health sciences.
Submit Both a Letter of Recommendation and Test Scores Even Though Neither Is Required
UWL's admissions materials note that letters of recommendation and ACT/SAT scores are not required but are considered. In practice, for students at the margin of admission or for competitive programs (health science disciplines fill quickly), these optional materials are part of the holistic file. UWL superscores both the ACT and SAT and takes the highest section scores across all test dates. A student who submits a 24 composite from one date but has a 26 math section from a different date benefits from superscore calculation. Students who decline to submit any test scores are leaving a potential upward adjustment on the table.
Expert Insight:
The single most common mistake with UWL is submitting an application through the Common App with only the Common App personal statement and assuming the school-specific essays are optional. They are not optional - UWL requires its own essay responses through the Universities of Wisconsin Application, and a Common App submission that lacks UWL-specific essay responses may be flagged as incomplete or reviewed without the essay material that the holistic process explicitly weighs. Students who also want to apply to UW-Madison should note they are submitting one application that routes to multiple campuses, but each campus has its own essay requirements layered on top.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Profile
Full Name
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
City
La Crosse
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
54601-9959
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $64,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.75%.
How much does a degree from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Cost?
The sticker price is $18,115/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $15,374.
14.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44% take federal loans at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. File your FAFSA early and list University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $60,378. That's about 49% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse run about $60,378 a year.
At about $18,115 a year, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is on the more affordable end.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Pell Grant rate of 14.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 73.3%, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse average a 3.6 GPA.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.3 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.2, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse — aim above 1190, ideally within the 1150–1220 range admitted students typically fall in.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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