HIGHER EDUCATION
Wisconsin is currently ranked 18th for a number of higher education institutions by state. The La Crosse region hosts six higher education institutions, all of which are recognized as leaders in their respective academic specialties. Read more about each of our higher-education institutions below:
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a public University that sits at the foot of the La Crosse bluffs. UWL is home to over 10,000 students from 41 states and 31 countries. UWL was ranked 4th best regional public university in the Midwest according to U.S. News and World Report, with a 98% career placement rate. UWL has won 71 championships in men’s and women’s sports since it was established in 1909.
Viterbo University is a private co-educational Roman Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts university located in La Crosse, home to a little over 2,500 students. The university was founded in 1890 and offers more than 70 academic programs. Viterbo currently has an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, an average class size of 16, and gives 98% of students financial aid.
Western Technical College is a two-year vocational-technical school based in La Crosse. Western is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System, which it serves 11 counties and enrolls over 5,000 students, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Founded in 1858, Winona State University is the oldest member of the Minnesota State System of colleges and universities. Today Winona State University serves students across two campuses in Winona and Rochester, Minnesota, as well as others throughout southeastern Minnesota and beyond. The University is known as one of the best in the Minnesota State System of colleges and universities, as they boast the #1 student success rate in the state.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private, nonprofit university in Winona, Minnesota. In 2018, St. Mary’s was designated as one of the top 100 schools in the Midwest by “2018 America’s Top Colleges”.
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Minnesota State College Southeast is a technical and community college located in Winona, Minnesota. The average student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, allowing ample opportunity for the students to connect and grow with mentors. Job placement rates for MSCS have averaged over 94% over the past five years.
Handshake is a platform for jobs, internships, and events used by over 1,400 U.S. colleges, including the three in
La Crosse. Employers can post job and internship listings once, then connect with selected schools. They can also schedule on-campus interviews, register for career fairs, and promote events. Western Technical College, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Viterbo University recently partnered with local organizations to host a Handshake 101 virtual event. Check out the event highlights and key takeaways in the summary document here.