University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at a Glance
The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire is a public university in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers bachelor's and master's degrees. As of 2024, the university had an enrollment of approximately 9,500 students.
1916
110 years old
$80M
$79.5 million (2025)
9,020
8,329 undergrad · 691 grad
530
333 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Official admissions pageFebruary 1
$25
Testing policy
Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Worth It?
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers moderate value at $16,550/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,561, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #14 of 84 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #4 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #5 | Portland State University | 80 | $9,552 | $57,906 |
| #6 | Southern Utah University | 72 | $10,462 | $50,296 |
| #14 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 58 | $16,550 | $58,561 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in WI.
Best Programs at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The highest-earning program at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $64,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $24,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire earns $64,900, while a History graduate earns $24,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $22,864 in median debt vs. $21,263 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,550/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,900 | $64,900 | $22,864 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,700 | $59,700 | $18,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $59,100 | $59,100 | $25,070 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $57,700 | $57,700 | $21,350 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,300 | $52,300 | $20,574 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,800 | $49,800 | $19,500 |
| Mathematics | $44,300 | $44,300 | $24,175 |
| Marketing | $43,800 | $43,800 | $22,223 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,700 | $43,700 | $23,474 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,900 | $39,900 | $26,238 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $39,000 | $39,000 | $24,000 |
| Chemistry | $38,700 | $38,700 | $21,937 |
| Economics | $36,800 | $36,800 | $24,502 |
| Music | $36,400 | $36,400 | $23,687 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,500 | $35,500 | $23,395 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,700 | $34,700 | $20,176 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,100 | $33,100 | $20,400 |
| Social Work | $33,000 | $33,000 | $21,615 |
| Biology, General | $32,100 | $32,100 | $21,500 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $32,100 | $32,100 | $21,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $30,400 | $30,400 | $21,603 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,600 | $28,600 | $24,386 |
| Sociology | $28,300 | $28,300 | $22,143 |
| Journalism | $27,800 | $27,800 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $22,302 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,500 | $27,500 | $22,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,200 | $27,200 | $23,282 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $22,038 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,300 | $25,300 | $19,500 |
| History | $24,300 | $24,300 | $21,263 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Eau Claire, WI
- Student Body
- 8,895 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,550
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,561
- Median Student Debt
- $20,909