University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-River Falls — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Wisconsin-River Falls at a Glance
The University of Wisconsin–River Falls is a public university in River Falls, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System. The 226-acre (91 ha) campus is on the Kinnickinnic River in the St. Croix River Valley. The university has 32 major buildings and two laboratory farms, with a total of 303 acres (123 ha) of land.
1874
152 years old
5,275
303 acres
11 residence halls
Identity
How to Apply to University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls Worth It?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls offers moderate value at $14,054/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,458, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Wisconsin-River Falls compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #19 of 134 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 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #2 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #3 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #4 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #5 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #6 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
| #19 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls | 57 | $14,054 | $54,458 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Wisconsin-River Falls's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in WI.
Best Programs at University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The highest-earning program at University of Wisconsin-River Falls is Computer Systems Analysis at $51,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Systems Analysis graduate from University of Wisconsin-River Falls earns $51,200, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,700. 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 Systems Analysis graduates carry $23,250 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,054/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 Systems Analysis | $51,200 | $51,200 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $47,300 | $47,300 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,200 | $43,200 | $20,168 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $41,600 | $41,600 | $17,125 |
| Plant Sciences | $39,000 | $39,000 | $19,140 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $37,900 | $37,900 | $20,433 |
| Chemistry | $37,200 | $37,200 | $26,279 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,800 | $35,800 | $21,991 |
| Sociology | $35,200 | $35,200 | $24,862 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,900 | $34,900 | $24,474 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $34,300 | $34,300 | $19,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $34,000 | $34,000 | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $33,000 | $33,000 | $23,616 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,800 | $32,800 | $21,600 |
| Social Work | $30,600 | $30,600 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $21,092 |
| Biology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $20,994 |
| Psychology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $18,956 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,700 | $21,700 | $23,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- River Falls, WI
- Student Body
- 4,205 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,054
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,458
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500