University of Wisconsin-La Crosse vs Western Technical College: which has better ROI?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,840 in 5.4 years versus not at all at Western Technical College, on median earnings of $60,378 vs $45,303 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | Western Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,210 | $11,008 |
| Total net cost | $64,840 | $44,032 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,378 | $45,303 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $11,500 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $175,520 | -$105,172 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or Western Technical College?
Western Technical College, at $11,008 a year after aid versus $16,210 — a gap of $5,202 a year, or $20,808 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or Western Technical College graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates report a median $60,378 ten years after entry, $15,075 more than the $45,303 at Western Technical College. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or Western Technical College?
Western Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,500 in federal loans versus $22,500 at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a difference of $11,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, against 34% at Western Technical College. 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.