Posted 7:54 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025
University ranked No. 3 public regional university in the Midwest; No. 1 public regional in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois
UW-La Crosse has earned high marks in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings — standing out as one of the top universities in the region for academic excellence, student success and overall value.
UWL is ranked No. 3 among Top Public Regional Universities in the Midwest, tied with the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Among public regional universities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, UWL is ranked No. 1 — making it the top public choice for students in this three-state region.
“It is clear from our strong rankings, our growing enrollment and our reputation for academic excellence that UWL is a destination university — a place that students and families from all over the state, region and indeed the country want to be a part of," Chancellor James Beeby says. "Many students have told me that this campus feels like home to them. That is a wonderful compliment for us to receive, and it is a credit to the many dedicated people who work to make UWL the vibrant, supportive, dynamic and intellectually enriching university that it is.”
In the overall Midwest rankings — which include both public and private institutions — UWL climbed to No. 14, up 14 spots from last year. This makes UWL the second-highest ranked regional university in Wisconsin and Minnesota, public or private.
“Our students are staying enrolled and graduating at consistently high rates, which is a strong indicator of success,” says Corey Sjoquist, UWL assistant vice chancellor for Admissions & Recruitment. “It’s something students and families should pay attention to — how well a university supports students in reaching graduation and achieving their goals. At UWL, we do that exceptionally well.”
A university where students succeed
UWL stands out in metrics that reflect student success — especially first-year retention and graduation rates, both important indicators of how well students are supported throughout their college experience.
- UWL has the highest first-year retention rate of any public university on the Regional Universities (Midwest) list with a retention rate of 87 %. Retention rate is the number of first-year students who return for their sophomore year.
- UWL has the highest graduation rate overall among public institutions in the Midwest region. UWL’s six-year graduation rate is 71 %
These rankings, along with campus visits, can be a valuable tool for prospective students to learn about their college options, says Sjoquist.
“The rankings also reinforce that academically-talented students continue to choose UWL and find fantastic success,” says Sjoquist. “That success combined with the energy on campus makes UWL an excellent destination for future students.”
Academic quality and affordability
UWL also earned a spot on the Best Value Schools list, which weighs both academic quality and affordability for out-of-state students receiving need-based financial aid. Among all institutions in Wisconsin — public and private — UWL ranks No. 4. It is the No. 2 Best Value School among public universities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Excellence in teaching future teachers
In addition to strong performance in overall rankings and value, UWL is also ranked No. 2 among public universities in the Midwest for Undergraduate Teaching Programs — a testament to its dedicated faculty and commitment to high-impact, student-centered learning.
About the rankings
The 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges ranking evaluated more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities using up to 17 measures of academic quality, graduate success and institutional outcomes. Metrics include factors such as graduation rates, retention rates, graduate earnings, borrower debt, student-faculty ratio and more.
Explore the full rankings and methodology at USNews.com.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is a global authority in rankings and consumer advice, helping millions of individuals make informed decisions. For more than 90 years, the organization has published trusted insights on education, health, finance, and more.
Apply to UWL or visit campus
Prospective students can apply for fall 2026 at www.apply.wisconsin.edu. Campus visits are available year-round and can be scheduled at www.uwlax.edu/visit.