CBC vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than CBC based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 7,510 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia Basin College is located in Pasco, WA (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia Basin College 20:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

CBC vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CBC or UW-Eau Claire? 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 Columbia Basin College than UW-Eau Claire ($10,656 vs. $15,151).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 20% lower than at Columbia Basin College ($8,978 vs. $11,222).
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is 47.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $3,087 more per year; $9,642.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.8% higher at UW-Eau Claire than at Columbia Basin College (about $10,560 more per year; $19,228.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia Basin College than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (76% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia Basin College students is 30.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($7,367 vs. $5,663).

CBC vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CBC or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and CBC.

• Columbia Basin College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CBC - Open admission; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.

CBC vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CBC and UW-Eau Claire? 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).

• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than CBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($10,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($108 vs. $240).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 48%)

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.