UW-Eau Claire vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 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: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

UW-Eau Claire vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-Eau Claire 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 UW-Eau Claire ($14,769 vs. $15,151).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 11.1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire ($7,982 vs. $8,978).
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $634 more per year; $9,642.00 vs. $9,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at UW-Eau Claire than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $1,758 more per year; $19,228.00 vs. $17,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin River Falls than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (81% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students is 35.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($5,663 vs. $4,176).

UW-Eau Claire vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-Eau Claire 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 UW-Eau Claire.

• Incoming UW-Eau Claire 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: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-Eau Claire - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (3.44).
• UW-Eau Claire has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

UW-Eau Claire vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of Wisconsin River Falls's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $525 lower median loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($22,725 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($234 vs. $240).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Wisconsin-River Falls students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

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.