Represent UWL
A page within Our brand
Who are we?
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a top-rated comprehensive campus within the Universities of Wisconsin system. Located in the beautiful Driftless Region of western Wisconsin, we are known for scholarship, academic rigor, physical activity and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. A century-old mission to train the whole person — "mind and body" remains at the core of the university's identity. We offer more than 130 degree programs from the undergraduate to doctoral level, a highly accomplished NCAA Division III athletics program, and countless social and cultural opportunities for student engagement.
UWL has earned a strong reputation nationally owing in large part to its stellar retention and graduates rates, return on investment and outcomes for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. According to U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Colleges ranking, UWL is the top public regional university across the three-state region of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.
What are we doing?
UWL keeps students on track in their educational journeys and helps them graduate into successful lives and careers. In 2025, 86.2% of our first-year students returned for their second year. This "retention rate" is a strong indicator of how students feel about their first-year experience, and UWL's has consistently been among the strongest in the Universities of Wisconsin system.
Likewise, UWL's six-year graduation rate for students beginning in fall 2018 was 71%, which outpaces many of our peer institutions across higher education. Nationally, the six-year graduation rate at four-year universities has hovered around 65%.
How are we doing it?
UWL attracts high-ability, goal-oriented students eager to learn from award-winning faculty and staff. During the fall 2025 semester, we welcomed 2,385 first-year students to campus — the largest class in university history. Thanks to a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, UWL students receive personalized attention from their instructors, and often have the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty on research projects and creative pursuits.
What drives us?
UWL's motto: Mens Corpusque, is Latin for "mind and body." Our faculty and staff are dedicated to the education of the whole student — providing an outstanding academic education, along with an appreciation for physical and recreational well-being. In this way, we empower our students to become well-rounded global citizens.
About UWL
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of the 13 four-year institutions in the Universities of Wisconsin. UWL offers 130-plus degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels in arts, social science and humanities; science and health; business; and education. UWL is the top public regional university across the three-state region of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois — according to U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Colleges ranking.
About UWL graduate studies
UWL offers more than 20 graduate programs, including online, on-campus and blended programs in the areas of business and management; higher education; K-12 education; science, engineering and math; clinical fields; and health and wellness. Learn more about graduate programs.