Posted 1:43 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025
Money.com ranking highlights quality, affordability and student outcomes
UW-La Crosse has once again earned national recognition — this time as one of the country’s best colleges, according to Money.com. The annual Best Colleges list evaluates institutions based on indicators of quality, affordability and student outcomes. The Money.com rating is designed to help prospective students and families identify standout schools that fit their budget.
UWL was one of about 700 colleges to meet the initial requirements for the ranking from a pool of more than 2,400 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges nationwide. Schools were assessed on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and other metrics that reflect overall value. UWL earned a rank 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.”
Affordable education
UWL stood out for its affordability, with one of the lowest total tuition cost estimates among the ranked institutions. The university’s full cost of attendance for the 2025-26 school year — including in-state tuition, fees, housing, food and estimated personal expenses for the year — was listed at $20,510. Additionally, UWL offers an average financial aid package of $13,900, with 42% of undergraduate students receiving grants.
Strong outcomes for graduates
UWL also excelled in measures of student success. The university’s average time to degree is 4.4 years, and graduates report strong early career earnings, averaging $60,380 annually—another key factor in Money’s rankings.
This latest recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for UWL. The university has previously been named among the nation’s best colleges by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report. Most recently, UWL was 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 the high school seniors and their families beginning their college applications for next fall.”
UWL campus visits are available throughout the summer and may be scheduled at www.uwlax.edu/visit. The admission application for Fall 2026 opens Aug. 1 and is available at www.apply.wisconsin.edu