Head-to-head comparison
University of Wisconsin-Madison vs University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: which has better ROI?
Option A Madison, WI
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Net price / year
- $17,354
- Earnings, 10 years
- $73,792
- Payback
- 2.7 yrs
Option B La Crosse, WI
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- Net price / year
- $16,210
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,378
- Payback
- 5.4 yrs
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,416 in 2.7 years versus 5.4 years at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, on median earnings of $73,792 vs $60,378 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Madison | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,354 | $16,210 |
| Total net cost | $69,416 | $64,840 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,792 | $60,378 |
| Median debt | $20,484 | $22,500 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | 5.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $439,224 | $175,520 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, at $16,210 a year after aid versus $17,354 — a gap of $1,144 a year, or $4,576 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-Madison or University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates report a median $73,792 ten years after entry, $13,414 more than the $60,378 at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. 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-Madison or University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?
University of Wisconsin-Madison: its completers carry a median $20,484 in federal loans versus $22,500 at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a difference of $2,016. 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?
90% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Madison, against 71% at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. 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.