Northland College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Deciding between Northland College 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.

Northland College
University of Wisconsin River Falls

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Northland College Ashland, WI
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI
  • Setting
  • Northland College Remote Town
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northland College 286
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,243
  • Type
  • Northland College Private 4 Year
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Northland College
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls #768
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Northland College United Church of Christ
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls -
  • Status
  • Northland College Non-profit
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Northland College
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Northland College $44,403
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $9,008
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Northland College $44,403
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $17,470
  • Room & Board
  • Northland College $11,600
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $7,982
  • Average Net Price
  • Northland College $23,253
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $14,769
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Northland College $33,572
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $4,176
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Northland College 100%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Northland College Calculate
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Calculate
  • Applied
  • Northland College 947
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,519
  • Admitted
  • Northland College 710
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 4,510
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Northland College 75%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Northland College 9.6%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 25.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northland College 1050
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northland College 21
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Northland College 3.3
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Northland College B+
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Northland College Very Easy
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Northland College
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • ACT Range
  • Northland College 18/25
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • Northland College 950/1140
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Northland College Test optional
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Northland College
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Northland College 5:1
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Northland College
    • Natural Resources Conservation (23%)
    • Biology (22%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Physical Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    • Agriculture (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Northland College 48%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Northland College $34,900
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $44,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Northland College 73%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Northland College $26,943
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $22,725
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Northland College $278
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $234

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Northland College 58%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 37%
  • % Women
  • Northland College 42%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Northland College Very Low
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Northland College No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • % White
  • Northland College 83%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 89%
  • % Asian
  • Northland College 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Black
  • Northland College 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Northland College 6%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Native American
  • Northland College 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Northland College 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Northland College 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % International
  • Northland College 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Northland College 4%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Northland College 32%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 47%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Northland College 43%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 52%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Northland College in Ashland, WI 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 Northland College based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northland College is located in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
  • Northland College 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: Northland College 5:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

Northland College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northland College 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 Northland College ($14,769 vs. $23,253).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 31.2% lower than at Northland College ($7,982 vs. $11,600).
  • Northland College is 392.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $35,395 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $9,008.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 154.2% higher at Northland College than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $26,933 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $17,470.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 703.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($33,572 vs. $4,176).

Northland College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northland College 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 Northland College.

  • Incoming University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Northland College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northland College 950/1140.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northland College 18/25; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northland College - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Northland College (3.3).
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Northland College (75%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Northland College vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Northland College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northland College 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 Northland College's (48%).
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $4,218 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($22,725 vs. $26,943).
  • Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($234 vs. $278).
  • More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northland College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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.