Skip to main content

Accessibility menu

Skip to main content Skip to footer

About UWL

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-La Crosse) provides a challenging, dynamic, and diverse learning environment in which the entire university community is fully engaged in supporting student success. 

Information about UWL and the Surrounding Region

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) embodies a commitment to student success as a highly-ranked, selective, regional, comprehensive university of approximately 10,500 students. UWL demonstrates consistently strong enrollment and fiscal stability. Located along the Mississippi River in the scenic Driftless Region of southwest Wisconsin, UWL offers a vibrant campus with modern facilities, extensive co-curricular opportunities, and a strong sense of community.

The university is recognized nationally for its student academic profile, strong retention and graduation rates, and robust undergraduate and graduate programs. UWL fosters a collaborative campus culture where faculty and staff are supported in teaching, research, and professional development. The La Crosse community provides a welcoming environment with abundant outdoor recreation, cultural events, and a historic downtown — making it an ideal place to live and work.

The UW-La Crosse campus is in the Driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin, nestled in a residential area of the City of La Crosse and positioned as part of a larger metro area with a population close to 140,000. The area, known as the 7 Rivers Region, is famous for its exceptional natural beauty which includes the Mississippi River on one side, majestic bluffs on the other, and views of rolling farmland and forested valleys in between. Abundant water, woodlands and varying terrain provide ample opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation. Only a couple of hours from Minneapolis or Madison, La Crosse enjoys the affordability and charm of small town living with larger city benefits. Three colleges, two world-class medical institutions, the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, a restored nineteenth century downtown business district, and a number of galleries and art centers have made La Crosse a regional center for culture, entertainment, medical care, shopping, sports and recreation.

UW-La Crosse’s strategic plan continues to move our community forward. More information about the ongoing work of "UWL Forward" is available on the strategic plan website.

 

Recent news from UWL

A sight that never gets old: Tulips in full bloom around campus. April at UWL Posted 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026 Relive the month through our favorite images Read more about April at UWL Brian Kumm- Schaley, associate professor of Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy, is a musician who has used his understanding rhythm to explore a way of life in uncertain times. Find your rhythm Posted 10:29 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026 UWL leisure expert explores a musical philosophy for living in uncertain times Read more about Find your rhythm Spring 2026 graduate Valliammai Arunachalam, a computer engineering major, develops algorithms that combine multiple AI and machine learning models to solve complex problems and drive innovation. Her first patent is for an AI driven spotlight.  Lighting her path Posted 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Curiosity guides senior to patents, publications and leadership during undergrad years Read more about Lighting her path UWL has joined the newly formed Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, leveraging its expertise in freshwater education to support the maritime workforce in the Midwest. Taking the helm in water education Posted 9 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2026 UWL joins new consortium supporting Midwest's water workforce Read more about Taking the helm in water education
More news