WNC vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stout is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Nevada College 15:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

WNC vs. UW-Stout Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WNC or UW-Stout? 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-Stout ($14,929 vs. $15,673).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stout are 49.4% lower than at Western Nevada College ($9,008 vs. $17,788).
• University of Wisconsin Stout is 156.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $6,533 more per year; $10,701.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.1% higher at UW-Stout than at Western Nevada College (about $6,431 more per year; $19,265.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at University of Wisconsin Stout (88% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($6,335 vs. $5,874).

WNC vs. UW-Stout Admissions comparison

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

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Stout 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WNC - Open admission; UW-Stout - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.

WNC vs. UW-Stout Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WNC and UW-Stout? 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 Stout earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $14,184 lower median loan debt than UW-Stout graduates ($11,316 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Stout graduates ($117 vs. $263).
• More UW-Stout graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.