UWM vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 17:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

UWM vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWM 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 UWM ($14,769 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 31.7% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($7,982 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $1,390 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $9,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.2% higher at UWM than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $4,928 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $17,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students is 52% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($6,347 vs. $4,176).

UWM vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWM 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 UWM.

• Incoming University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UWM).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWM - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at UWM vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

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

How do outcomes compare for UWM 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 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 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 $2,233 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($22,725 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 62%)

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.