High rankings, a new major and a groundbreaking project highlight continued momentum

High rankings, a new major and a groundbreaking project highlight continued momentum

UW-La Crosse continues to earn high marks, with new rankings reinforcing its stature as a premier university.

In U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges list for 2026, UWL ranked as the No. 1 public regional university in the tri-state area of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, and as the No. 3 public regional university in all of the Midwest.

Additionally, UWL was named the No. 2 public university in Wisconsin by the online ranking platform Niche - second to UW-Madison.

U.S. News and Niche cited high-quality academic programs, vibrant student life, exceptional return on investment and strong metrics of student success as reasons why UWL stands out among its peers.

Notably, UWL's first-year retention rate (87%) and a six-year graduation rate (71%) are significantly higher than the national average, illustrating not only the quality of UWL's academics and student life, but the strength of its student support programs.

"Our students are staying enrolled and graduating at consistently high rates, which is a strong indicator of success," says Corey Sjoquist, assistant vice chancellor for Admissions & Recruitment. "It's something students and families should pay attention to - how well a university supports students in reaching graduation and achieving their goals. At UWL, we do that exceptionally well."

Chancellor James Beeby says UWL's consistently high rankings reflect a university committed to growth, innovation and student success inside and outside the classroom.

"It is clear from our strong rankings, our growing enrollment and our reputation for academic excellence that UWL is a destination university - a place that students and families from all over the state, region and indeed the country want to be a part of," Beeby says. "Many students have told me that this campus feels like home to them. That is a wonderful compliment for us to receive, and it is a credit to the many dedicated people who work to make UWL the vibrant, supportive, dynamic and intellectually enriching university that it is."

UWL launches criminology major

UW-La Crosse has introduced a new major designed to meet growing student interest and regional workforce needs.

This spring marked the debut of UWL's major in criminology, a long-requested addition that will equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills to examine crime, criminal behavior and their impact on communities.

"The new criminology major helps students to understand why crime exists, why some people commit crimes, and how our values and beliefs shape the way we define, perceive, and respond to criminal behaviors," says Lisa Kruse, chair of the Department of Sociology & Criminology. This holistic approach helps students gain a deeper understanding of "how cultural values and beliefs shape the (criminal justice) system, how individuals are processed through the system, and the major contemporary challenges facing the system."

The program prepares students to assess and engage criminal justice institutions, interpret research on crime, and apply findings as they work with clients and organizations throughout the community. Additionally, students gain practical experience through course-embedded research, collaborative projects, community-based learning, extensive writing and a senior capstone project focused on real-world, community-engaged experiences.

Workforce needs were a key factor in the program's development.

Graduates will be qualified for high- demand careers in law enforcement, courts and corrections, as well as health services, counseling centers, schools, private industry and community-based prevention programs.

"Faculty have heard from a variety of regional employers that they are seeking to hire people in crime-related fields of study," says Professor Tim Gongaware, who worked with Kruse and others in developing the program. "As the number of community partners related to criminology grows, adding this program will more adequately meet the needs of these employers and those of our students by increasing opportunities for internships, community-engaged learning and employment."

Strategic plan seeks to empower people, elevate excellence and prepare UWL for the future

Last year, UW-La Crosse introduced the pillars of its "UWL Forward" strategic plan, a blueprint that will guide university work and decision-making in the years ahead.

UWL has since taken the first steps in implementing this plan, with an eye for honoring the university's rich history while ensuring both the short- and long-term success of the institution.

Here is some of the work already underway:

The Driftless Difference: Elevating UWL's identity as a premier regional destination

• Launching a market research initiative to identify opportunities and shape strategies that strengthen UWL's unique reputation and brand identity.
• Using grant funding to hire three faculty fellows to support the university's Community Engaged Learning Program and other engagement opportunities across campus.

People as Priority: Fostering an inclusive campus culture where individual voices matter

• Evaluating current policies and resources designed to build a sense of belonging and identifying potential next steps.
• Implementing phase two of a compensation plan to increase market competitiveness.

Elevating Excellence through Educational Innovation: Harnessing innovation to prepare students, faculty and staff for the future

• Building an AI framework that establishes a shared understanding and baseline for effective AI use on campus.
• Developing non-credit micro credentials that recognize faculty and staff engagement in professional learning opportunities.

Mission-Driven Management & Mindful Stewardship: Building a resilient, responsive and sustainable institution

• Conducting an inventory of technology tools and processes to identify redundancies, underutilized resources and workflow inefficiencies.
• Exploring ways to reduce UWL's impact on the environment, including implementing the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). Notably, UWL was recently designated as a "Tree Campus" by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Learn more about UWL Forward.

Work underway to complete Prairie Springs

UW-La Crosse has broken ground on the second phase of the Prairie Springs Science Center, a highly anticipated facility that will transform science and health education at UWL.

The ceremonial groundbreaking in May marked the unofficial start of the $194 million project, which will replace Cowley Hall with 30 new labs, classrooms and specialized learning spaces, with completion expected in late 2028.

Together, the two phases will form a comprehensive hub supporting education, research and innovation across a variety of STEM fields.

"This facility will be a jewel in the state right here on the west coast of Wisconsin," Chancellor James Beeby says. "More importantly, it will be a place for students - the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, researchers and problem-solvers - who will carry their work far beyond this campus. Here at UWL, preparing students for a successful life and career is not just something we talk about. It is something we build into every experience."

The completion of Prairie Springs comes at a critical time in the war for talent. With a fully completed, state-of-the-art science center, UWL will be poised to produce even more skilled graduates who will go on to careers in La Crosse and throughout the state.

Importantly, 87% of graduates from UWL's College of Science & Health continue to live and work in Wisconsin, supporting communities and bolstering the state's workforce.

In addition to academics, phase two will provide a major sustainability upgrade over Cowley Hall.

The completed facility will minimize its impact on local ecosystems through recycled and locally sourced building materials, bird-friendly glass, native plantings, and exterior lighting designed to limit light pollution.

Built to the latest energy-efficiency standards, phase two will feature an airtight building envelope to prevent energy loss, rooftop solar panels to generate power and solar window shades to naturally regulate indoor temperatures.

As a completed structure, the Prairie Springs Science Center will help propel UWL into the future, strengthening the university's commitment to excellence in education, workforce development and environmental stewardship.