UW-La Crosse vs University of Iowa (UIowa)

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and University of Iowa stand as two distinct academic powerhouses, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. UW-La Crosse boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. In contrast, UIowa's lower acceptance rate reflects its highly selective admissions process. When it comes to popular majors, UW-La Crosse excels in fields like Biology, Business, and Psychology, while UIowa shines in areas such as Engineering, Business, and Health Professions. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates of these two esteemed universities, and discover which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Iowa	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Overview
Location	Iowa City, Iowa	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	88.0%	84.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	86.2%	73.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $56
SAT range	1130 - 1350	N/A
ACT range	22 - 29	21 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	18.0%
Students submitting ACT score	65.0%	73.0%
Total number of applicants	22,434	7,067
Total number of admissions given out	19,340	5,219
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,521	2,217
Yield rate	23.4%	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: $24,686 Out of state: $46,649	In state: $18,113 Out of state: $26,932
Average net price	$17,599	$12,904
Tuition	In state: $8,356 Out of state: $30,319	In state: $7,585 Out of state: $16,404
Room & board	$11,780	Room/dormitory: $4,130 Meal plan: $2,674
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	71.0% Average amount $11,007	61.0% Average amount $3,135
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,282	46.0% Average amount $5,055
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $16,747	10.0% Average amount $9,271

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,608 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%	9,400 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
Graduate students	8,301 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%	937 Men 34.6% Women 65.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	39.4%	18.8%
International students	5.4%	0.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	6,660	3,012
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin California	Wisconsin Minnesota Illinois Iowa Michigan

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Engineering Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Education Health Professions Liberal Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Business
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.7%	73.0%
Dropout rate	7.2%	26.2%
Transferred out	17.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $125,938 Year 2: $134,155 Year 3: $142,171 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $85,649 Year 2: $112,215 Year 3: $121,442 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,222 Year 2: $96,991 Year 3: $113,045 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $107,534 Year 2: $103,913 Year 3: $108,049 Public Health (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,863 Year 2: $69,757 Year 3: $81,687 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $61,283 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $81,057 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,973 Year 2: $69,657 Year 3: $80,787 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,231 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $80,592 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,094 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $78,583 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,942 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $71,106	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 in size and campus environment between UW-La Crosse and the University of Iowa?

The University of Iowa is significantly larger than UW-La Crosse. Iowa boasts a much larger student body, offering a more diverse campus environment with a wider range of activities and social opportunities. UW-La Crosse provides a more intimate campus feel, fostering closer relationships between students and faculty. Iowa's campus is also more integrated with a larger city (Iowa City), while UW-La Crosse has a more self-contained campus feel within the city of La Crosse.
How do the academic programs compare at UW-La Crosse and the University of Iowa?

Both universities offer a wide array of academic programs. The University of Iowa, being a larger research institution, generally has a broader selection of graduate programs and specialized research opportunities. UW-La Crosse excels in specific areas, particularly in health sciences, education, and business, often providing a more hands-on and personalized learning experience. Iowa has a stronger emphasis on research across many disciplines.
What are the tuition and cost of attendance differences between the two universities?

Tuition and overall cost of attendance can vary. Generally, the University of Iowa, being a larger public university, may have slightly higher tuition and fees, especially for out-of-state students. However, this can fluctuate based on specific programs and financial aid packages. UW-La Crosse often presents a more affordable option, particularly for Wisconsin residents. It's best to consult the official university websites for the most up-to-date and specific cost information.
How does the student life and extracurricular activities differ at UW-La Crosse and the University of Iowa?

Student life at the University of Iowa is characterized by a vast array of clubs, organizations, and Division I athletics, providing a vibrant and diverse social scene. UW-La Crosse also offers a strong student life, with a focus on campus involvement and a more close-knit community. While UW-La Crosse has competitive athletics, the scale is smaller than Iowa's. Iowa City offers a more extensive range of entertainment and cultural options compared to La Crosse, due to its larger size and metropolitan area.
What are the strengths of the University of Iowa?

The University of Iowa is renowned for its strong programs in medicine, law, engineering, and creative writing (Iowa Writers' Workshop). It is a major research institution with extensive resources and opportunities for graduate studies. The university also benefits from a large alumni network and a vibrant city environment.
What are the strengths of UW-La Crosse?

UW-La Crosse is particularly strong in health sciences (physical therapy, athletic training, etc.), education, and business programs. It offers a high-quality education with a focus on undergraduate teaching and student support. The campus environment is known for its safety and strong sense of community. The university also has a beautiful location near the bluffs and the Mississippi River, offering excellent outdoor recreational opportunities.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with job searching and career planning. The University of Iowa, with its larger alumni network and broader industry connections, may offer a wider range of internship and job opportunities, particularly in certain fields. UW-La Crosse's career services are highly regarded and often have strong connections within the state and regional job markets, especially in its areas of strength. Job placement rates are generally good at both institutions, with outcomes varying based on the specific program and student's individual efforts.
Which university is better for a student seeking a strong sense of community?

UW-La Crosse generally fosters a stronger sense of community due to its smaller size and more intimate campus environment. Students often report feeling more connected to their peers and faculty. While the University of Iowa also has a strong community, its larger size can make it more challenging to build those close-knit relationships.
Which university is better for a student interested in research opportunities?

The University of Iowa, being a major research institution, offers significantly more extensive research opportunities, particularly at the graduate level. While UW-La Crosse provides research opportunities, they are generally more focused on undergraduate research and are less extensive compared to Iowa.
How does the location and surrounding area influence the student experience?

The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, a vibrant college town with a thriving arts and culture scene. The city offers a wide range of entertainment, dining, and shopping options. UW-La Crosse is situated in a smaller city, La Crosse, which provides a more relaxed atmosphere and easy access to outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, and water sports. Both cities offer a safe and welcoming environment for students, but the overall experience differs based on the size and offerings of the surrounding area.

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