The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (also known as UW–La Crosse, UWL, or regionally as La Crosse) is a public university in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Founded in 1909, it is part of the University of Wisconsin System and awards bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. UW–La Crosse is organized into five schools and colleges offering 100 undergraduate programs, 22 graduate programs, and 2 doctoral programs. With an annual operating budget of $227 million, it is one of the largest in the UW System. The university has nearly 85,000 alumni across all 50 U.S. states and 57 countries.In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked UWL the top comprehensive university in the UW System for the eighteenth consecutive year, and the fourth ranked public university in the Midwest. In addition, the university was ranked in the elite group of 39 national universities highlighted for student success in undergraduate research and creative projects. Nationally recognized programs include occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant offerings at the graduate level. UWL also offers a top ranked archaeology and anthropology undergraduate degree program, the only in the Midwest and one of few nationally. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies UW–La Crosse among "Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs."The UW–La Crosse Eagles athletic teams compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, in NCAA's Division III. The university mascot is Stryker the Eagle.