CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with University of Wisconsin River Falls in River Falls, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin River Falls is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin River Falls is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than University of Wisconsin-River Falls ($10,441 vs. $14,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 30.9% lower than at Chicago State University ($7,982 vs. $11,550).
• Chicago State University is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $3,746 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $9,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at University of Wisconsin-River Falls than at Chicago State University (about $4,716 more per year; $17,470.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 335.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($18,194 vs. $4,176).

CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Wisconsin-River Falls and CSU.

• Incoming University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at CSU (3.18).
• University of Wisconsin-River Falls has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Wisconsin River Falls's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $8,525 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($22,725 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($234 vs. $323).
• More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.