University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

In 2022, tuition for full-time UW La Crosse students was $7,974 a year for in-state students and $17,014 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is $17,014 per year.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse meets 71.1% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is around $8,059 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $25,512 in student loans per borrower.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $7,974 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered Wisconsin-residents, out-of-state tuition is $17,014 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Wisconsin colleges

Is University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Tuition Different for International Students?

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse usually pay around $17,014 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

House and Food Costs at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Room and board at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is $6,804 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources so that those with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is sometimes costly, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. University of Wisconsin-La Crosseis in a town in Wisconsin.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

How Much Does University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Cost?

What will the cost of attending University of Wisconsin-La Crosse be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$7,974
Out-of-State Tuition	$17,014
Room and Board	$6,804
Other expenses	$1,166

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Financial Aid

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In 2023, 2,967 of the 9,369 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse meets 71.1% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $8,059 a year. Around 60.8% of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $25,512 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,750
State Loans	$10,000
Private Loans	$19,771

Most Common Loans for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Students
Federal Loans	60%
State loans	0.1%
Private loans	15.4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of Wisconsin-La Crosse financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse awarded 2,115 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $14.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $5.66 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was $8,059 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$1,746
Net In-state, Off-campus	$1,835
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$18,845

What will attending University of Wisconsin-La Crosse really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's net cost calculator on their website.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's endowment was valued at $38.1 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse spends about $7,192 a year.

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