University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in River Falls, Wisconsin. It enrolls 4,205 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
70/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes46
Value82
Affordability49
Selectivity39
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 81.7%, University of Wisconsin-River Falls is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
81.7%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 26
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Wisconsin-River Falls is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
2.7 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Wisconsin-River Falls isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $14,054 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$14,054
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
21%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
43%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,008
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$17,470
Room & Board (on-campus)
$7,982
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,400
Books & Supplies
$450
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,810
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,190
Total Cost of Attendance
$19,781
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$8,472
$30,001 – $48,000
$9,014
$48,001 – $75,000
$10,796
$75,001 – $110,000
$16,578
Over $110,000
$18,234
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,27310%percentile
$6,17125%percentile
$20,500Medianpercentile
$26,00075%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $15,527
↓ $4,973
No Pell $14,000
↓ $6,500
Dependent students $14,865
↓ $5,635
Independent students $14,875
↓ $5,625
Female students $15,000
↓ $5,500
Male students $14,126
↓ $6,374
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,562, less than completers ($20,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
59% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduate within six years, and 75% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
59%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
75%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Wisconsin-River Falls earn a median of $54,458 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$54,458
Earning > $25K
84%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$40,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$51,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$43,800
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$43,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$46,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $11,500, about 22% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
14.0 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is home to 4,205 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
4,205
Part-Time
7%
First-Generation
26%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 85.4%3,589
Hispanic 5.0%208
Other 3.0%124
Asian 2.4%100
Black 2.1%88
International 1.0%40
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: DistantRiver Falls, Wisconsin
Housing
Mostly residential2,417 beds on campus
Adult Learners
5%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Wisconsin-River Falls offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
59 distinct programs across
22 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin-River Falls is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$9,483
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$29M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$77,141
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
210 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
87
41%
$87,322
Associate Professors
30
14%
$82,679
Assistant Professors
66
31%
$72,669
Lecturers
26
12%
$48,304
No Rank
1
0%
$74,864
Pros & Cons of University of Wisconsin-River Falls
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Wisconsin-River Falls tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Modest first-year retention
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls hard to get into?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 81.7%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls has an acceptance rate of 81.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls scored between 19 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Wisconsin-River Falls cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Wisconsin-River Falls is $14,054 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $54,458 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $14,054 per year. That's roughly 3.9x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Wisconsin-River Falls known for?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is best known for its programs in Animal Sciences, Business Administration, Teacher Education (K-12). These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Wisconsin-River Falls are $54,458, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls accredited?
Yes. University of Wisconsin-River Falls is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls enrolls 4,205 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates 59% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls a public or private college?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a Public institution.
Where is University of Wisconsin-River Falls located?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin.
What programs does University of Wisconsin-River Falls offer?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls offers 59 distinct programs. The most popular include Animal Sciences, Business Administration, Teacher Education (K-12).
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin-River Falls is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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