University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
63%
Acceptance rate
$21,077
Tuition/yr
8,500
Enrollment
20:1
Student:Faculty
About University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Public liberal arts university in Wisconsin. Strong education and health sciences programs.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) is a public comprehensive university founded in 1909 as a teacher-training institution. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and enrolls approximately 10,458 students across more than 100 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs on a 128-acre campus in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
UWL is consistently ranked among the top public regional universities in the Midwest. U.S. News & World Report's 2026 edition places it No. 3 among Top Public Regional Universities in the Midwest and No. 1 among public universities in Wisconsin with fewer than 25,000 students. The university reports an 87% first-year retention rate and a 71% six-year graduation rate, both the highest among comparable public institutions in the Midwest region.
Academic strengths include health sciences (particularly exercise science, physical therapy, and biology), business, education, and the natural sciences. Nearly 96% of students participate in at least one high-impact educational experience such as undergraduate research or service-learning. The campus sits alongside the Mississippi River in La Crosse, a mid-sized city with a well-regarded quality of life and access to outdoor recreation.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
WI
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates qualify for 12-month OPT. STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- UWL charges international undergraduate students approximately $21,077 in tuition and fees annually (2026-27 rate), placing it in a lower-to-mid cost tier compared to flagship research universities, which is a meaningful advantage for Nepali families managing overseas education expenses.
- The university offers a renewable international student scholarship of up to $5,000 per year for F-1 degree-seeking students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and engage in campus and community programming, a direct, accessible funding source for Nepali students.
- Students who complete a STEM degree are eligible for a 24-month OPT STEM extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT, giving Nepali graduates in science, technology, engineering, or math up to three years of post-study work authorization in the United States.
- The Office of International Education and Engagement provides dedicated advising, orientation support, and bi-annual financial awards for international students, offering structured institutional backing that can ease the transition for Nepali students adjusting to life in a smaller American city.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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