Page 62 - 2015 Compass Now

Figure 13: Educational Attainment

60%

% Population 25+ Years 50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% Monroe Trempealeau Vernon Houston
La Crosse 14.4
30.0
HS Education or less 5.4 19.6 21.3 28.0 47.3
8.3
HS Diploma 28.7 44.4 40.9 37.5

Higher than HS Diploma 57.0 31.7 31.0 31.4

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 8.9 4.3 6.9 3.1

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2010-2014

EDUCATION Higher Education Institutions of the Great Rivers Region

The Great Rivers Region is fortunate to have a great number of higher education choices, including the
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, Western Technical College, and Globe University. Other
nearby colleges and universities just outside the region include Chippewa Valley Technical College, Globe
University-Eau Claire, Luther College, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire,
University of Wisconsin-Richland, and Winona State University. Nearly 85% of respondents to the COMPASS
NOW 2015 Random Household Survey rated the quality of higher education in the region as either good or
excellent (see Figure 14).

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, part of the University of Wisconsin System, continues to position itself
among the country’s elite public universities. In 2014, fall enrollment reached a record 10,558 undergraduate
and graduate students. UW-L offers 91 undergraduate programs and 25 graduate programs. Nearly 400
international students bring the world to campus. The University is divided into three colleges: Business
Administration, Science and Health, and Liberal Studies. UW-L has consistently ranked among the state’s top
public or private higher education institution for master’s degree institutions, according to U.S. News & World
Report, for more than a decade. UW-L is also listed annually among Kiplinger’s Top 100 Best Values, and in
Spring 2014, the magazine also named UW-L No. 4 in a ranking of the 25 Best College Values Under $30,000 a
Year.

Viterbo University, a private Catholic university, is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and enrolls more than
2,000 undergraduate and 800 graduate students in over 70 programs. Viterbo’s nursing program is one of the
largest in Wisconsin and its offerings in education, business, science, and the arts enjoy a strong reputation.
Many adult students seeking to access return-to-school and degree-completion options attend Viterbo. The
University has also expanded its online programs for students needing or favoring the convenience of that
format. Ten programs are now completely online. Nearly 7,200 alumni of Viterbo live and/or work in the Great
Rivers Region’s counties, adding to the economic, cultural, and educational vitality of their communities. As
of Fall 2014, 39% of Viterbo’s undergraduate enrollment is comprised of residents from the five-county area.
Viterbo’s undergraduate enrollment is comprised of 51% first-generation students – a strong indicator of
Viterbo’s commitment to improving the lives and opportunities of those seeking a college education.

54 COMPASS NOW 2015