WNC vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Nevada College is located in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Nevada College 15:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

WNC vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WNC or UW-Eau Claire? 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 Western Nevada College than UW-Eau Claire ($14,929 vs. $15,151).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 49.5% lower than at Western Nevada College ($8,978 vs. $17,788).
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is 131.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $5,474 more per year; $9,642.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at UW-Eau Claire than at Western Nevada College (about $6,394 more per year; $19,228.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (88% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Nevada College students is 3.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($5,874 vs. $5,663).

WNC vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WNC or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and WNC.

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WNC - Open admission; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.

WNC vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WNC and UW-Eau Claire? 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).

• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $11,934 lower median loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($11,316 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($117 vs. $240).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 30%)

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.