James Beeby Chancellor | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
James Beeby Chancellor | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
UW-La Crosse has been recognized as one of the best colleges in the United States by Money.com. The annual Best Colleges list evaluates institutions based on quality, affordability, and student outcomes to assist prospective students and families in finding schools that fit their budget.
UWL was among approximately 700 colleges that met the initial requirements for ranking from a pool of over 2,400 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges nationwide. The assessment included graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries, and other metrics reflecting overall value. UWL received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
“UWL has long been a school of choice for students in Wisconsin and across the Midwest, and we are deeply proud of the impactful experiences we offer inside and outside the classroom,” Chancellor James Beeby says. “This rating underscores our commitment to academic quality, affordability and providing an outstanding student experience — which is why so many students and families feel drawn to this wonderful university.”
The university stood out for its affordability with one of the lowest total tuition cost estimates among ranked institutions. The full cost of attendance for the 2025-26 school year is listed at $20,510. UWL offers an average financial aid package of $13,900, with 42% of undergraduate students receiving grants.
UWL also excelled in measures of student success. The average time to degree is 4.4 years, with graduates reporting strong early career earnings averaging $60,380 annually—another key factor in Money’s rankings.
This recognition adds to UWL's growing list of accolades. Previously named among the nation’s best colleges by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report, UWL was recently ranked among the best public universities in Wisconsin in Niche’s 2025 Best Colleges list.
“This excellent recognition reinforces to our new students that they made a wise choice to attend UWL,” says Corey Sjoquist, assistant vice chancellor for Admissions & Recruitment. “Additionally, this is helpful to high school seniors and their families beginning their college applications for next fall.”
Campus visits are available throughout the summer at www.uwlax.edu/visit. The admission application for Fall 2026 opens Aug. 1 at www.apply.wisconsin.edu
Alerts Sign-up