Head-to-head comparison
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse vs University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: which has better ROI?
Option A La Crosse, WI
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- Net price / year
- $16,210
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,378
- Payback
- 5.4 yrs
Option B Eau Claire, WI
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Net price / year
- $16,550
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,561
- Payback
- 6.5 yrs
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,840 in 5.4 years versus 6.5 years at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, on median earnings of $60,378 vs $58,561 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,210 | $16,550 |
| Total net cost | $64,840 | $66,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,378 | $58,561 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $20,909 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $175,520 | $137,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, at $16,210 a year after aid versus $16,550 — a gap of $340 a year, or $1,360 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates report a median $60,378 ten years after entry, $1,817 more than the $58,561 at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: its completers carry a median $20,909 in federal loans versus $22,500 at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a difference of $1,591. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, against 64% at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.