Admit rate has ranged 72%–79% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Viterbo University is a small Franciscan Catholic university in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where values like hospitality and service shape a tight-knit, hands-on learning environment. With a 72% acceptance rate and test-optional admissions, it attracts students to its 40+ majors—notably nursing, business, and the arts—while boasting a 98% graduate placement rate within six months. Campus life revolves around its intimate community (1,443 undergrads) and Franciscan traditions, though its $26,719 net price after aid reflects the challenges of private college affordability.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,249
In-state tuition
$34,250
Out-of-state tuition
$34,250
Location
La Crosse, WI
Acceptance Rate
72.4%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
65%
On-Campus Housing Cost
$10,680/year
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
Median Early-Career Earnings
$60,592
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,660
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.6×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
68%
First-year retention
76%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
70%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
28%
Endowment / student
$52,494
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$65,052
Management Information Systems and Services$54,322
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services$52,107
Accounting and Related Services$48,432
Business Administration, Management and Operations$47,595
Social Work
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
95
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
14°F
Annual rain
34.8"
Annual snow
35.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
75
Scholarly works
1,241
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.8%
Bottom → top quintile
13%
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Viterbo University?
Viterbo University's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (La Crosse, WI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Viterbo University cost?
At Viterbo University, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,260 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Viterbo University?
Viterbo University enrolls approximately 1,249 undergraduate students.
Where is Viterbo University located?
Viterbo University is located in La Crosse, WI.
Admissions
Viterbo's admissions process leans accessible, with a 72.4% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ([6], [8], [9]) and Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy ([1], [7]). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1040-1380 on the SAT or 22-27 on the ACT ([9], [11]). Notably, male applicants face a slightly lower 64% acceptance rate ([10]). While PrepScholar bluntly calls it 'not selective' ([8]), Niche describes admissions as 'somewhat selective' ([9]). Retention rates hover at 76% for first-years ([26]).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$41,937
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$36,848
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$32,563
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Viterbo offers 40+ majors ([13]) with standout programs in nursing, business, and the arts (see the A-to-Z undergraduate list: Accounting to Arts Management) ([16]). The 11:1 student-faculty ratio ([13]) enables close mentorship—even 1:1 research opportunities ([13]). While US News notes smaller programs in psychology and engineering (each 3% of degrees) ([15]), the university touts a 98% graduate placement rate within six months ([13]). Its Franciscan identity permeates the curriculum, emphasizing 'values-based' learning ([14]).
With 1,443 undergrads ([23]), Viterbo's campus thrives on intimacy. Students describe it as 'small and tight-knit' where 'you see familiar faces daily' ([19]). Residence life pushes on-campus living with claims it boosts grades ([22]), though urban La Crosse offers off-campus options. The Division of Student Life organizes activities steeped in Franciscan values—hospitality, service, contemplation ([18], [20])—like service projects and spiritual retreats. A YouTube campus tour ([21]) showcases the leafy, compact grounds.
Viterbo graduates see solid returns: median earnings hit $60,592 ([28]), ranking top 5 in Wisconsin for early-career salaries ([25]). The 65% six-year graduation rate ([27], [28]) outpaces Pell-eligible students (58%) ([27]). Debt is median at $25,000 ([28]), and 98% of speech-language pathology grads pass licensure exams ([24]). Notably, 56% finish in four years—uncommon for a regional university ([26]).
The sticker price stings less after aid: 98% of full-time undergrads receive scholarships or grants, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $26,719 ([29], [31]). The Net Price Calculator ([32], [34]) helps families estimate costs, though on-campus housing runs $10,680/year ([23]). Federal loans and work-study fill gaps ([30]), but median debt at graduation ($25,000) suggests many still borrow ([28]).
Viterbo’s Franciscan DNA sets it apart—values like 'stewardship' and 'service' aren’t buzzwords but lived through required service learning ([20]). Its microscopic 11:1 ratio ([13]) means professors know students by name, while La Crosse’s river-valley setting offers outdoor escapes. The 98% job placement rate ([13]) and top-5-in-Wisconsin graduate earnings ([25]) prove its career focus isn’t just talk. For students seeking a small, values-driven college with strong Midwestern roots, it’s a compelling pick—if they can navigate the $26K+ Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. ([31]).
