Metropolitan State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Deciding between Metropolitan State University 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.

Metropolitan State University
University of Wisconsin River Falls

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University Large City
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University 6,660
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,243
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University Public 4 Year
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls #768
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University -
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University Non-profit
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University $9,840
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $9,008
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University $9,840
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $17,470
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University $15,864
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $7,982
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University $16,615
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $14,769
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University $8,538
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $4,176
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University 82%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Metropolitan State University Calculate
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Calculate
  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University 698
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,519
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University 689
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 4,510
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University 98.7%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University 33.8%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 25.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University -
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University -
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University Unavailable
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University Test optional
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University 15:1
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Metropolitan State University
    • Business (33%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    • Agriculture (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University 29%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University $49,200
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $44,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University 57%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University $17,992
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $22,725
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University $186
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $234

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University 43%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 37%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University 57%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University High
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University 54%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 89%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University 13%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University 20%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University 5%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University 4%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University 99%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 47%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 52%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Metropolitan State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Metropolitan State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Meal Plan
  • Metropolitan State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Metropolitan State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Metropolitan State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Learn More
  • Metropolitan State University Details
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Details

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (6,660 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
  • Metropolitan 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: Metropolitan State University 15:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University ($14,769 vs. $16,615).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 49.7% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($7,982 vs. $15,864).
  • Metropolitan State University is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $832 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $9,008.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 77.5% higher at University of Wisconsin-River Falls than at Metropolitan State University (about $7,630 more per year; $17,470.00 vs. $9,840.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (82% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 104.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($8,538 vs. $4,176).

Metropolitan State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University.

  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (81.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Metropolitan State University vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Metropolitan State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University's (29%).
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $4,733 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($17,992 vs. $22,725).
  • Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($186 vs. $234).
  • More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 57%)

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.