CUW vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Deciding between Concordia University Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin River Falls? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Concordia University Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin River Falls

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CUW Mequon, WI
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI
  • Setting
  • CUW Rural Fringe
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • CUW 5,253
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,243
  • Type
  • CUW Private 4 Year
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CUW #442
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls #768
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CUW Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls -
  • Status
  • CUW Non-profit
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CUW
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CUW $35,470
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $9,008
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CUW $35,470
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $17,470
  • Room & Board
  • CUW $13,200
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $7,982
  • Average Net Price
  • CUW $31,916
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $14,769
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CUW $21,379
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $4,176
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CUW 99%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CUW 3,945
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,519
  • Admitted
  • CUW 3,085
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 4,510
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CUW 78.2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81.7%
  • Enrolled
  • CUW 14.1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 25.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CUW
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Typical ACT score
  • CUW 23
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • CUW 3.52
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CUW A-
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • CUW Moderate
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CUW
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • ACT Range
  • CUW 20/26
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • CUW
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CUW Test optional
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CUW
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CUW 11:1
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CUW
    • Business (40%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    • Agriculture (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CUW 58%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CUW $46,100
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $44,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CUW 52%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CUW $23,925
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $22,725
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CUW $247
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $234

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CUW 42%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 37%
  • % Women
  • CUW 58%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CUW Low
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Very Low
  • HBCU
  • CUW No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • % White
  • CUW 72%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 89%
  • % Asian
  • CUW 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Black
  • CUW 15%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • CUW 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Native American
  • CUW 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CUW 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CUW 3%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % International
  • CUW 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CUW 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CUW 54%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 47%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CUW 34%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 52%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CUW Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CUW No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Meal Plan
  • CUW Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CUW Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Daycare Facility
  • CUW No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Concordia University Wisconsin is located in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
  • Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin River Falls is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

CUW vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CUW 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 University of Wisconsin River Falls than CUW ($14,769 vs. $31,916).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 39.5% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($7,982 vs. $13,200).
  • Concordia University Wisconsin is 293.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $26,462 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $9,008.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 103% higher at CUW than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $18,000 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $17,470.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (99% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 411.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($21,379 vs. $4,176).

CUW vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CUW 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 CUW.

  • Incoming CUW students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls).
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CUW - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman CUW students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (3.44).
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than CUW (78.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CUW vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

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

How do outcomes compare for CUW 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).

  • Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Wisconsin River Falls's (51%).
  • Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $1,200 lower median loan debt than CUW graduates ($22,725 vs. $23,925).
  • Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CUW graduates ($234 vs. $247).
  • More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 52%)

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.