University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
#7 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 66% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,561 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,550 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,350,045.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 44% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Matters
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a public university in Eau Claire, WI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 8,895
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,550 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,561 ten years after enrolling — 44% above the typical college, against $20,909 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.77 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 8,900 students and an acceptance rate of 82%, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a welcoming choice for those seeking a solid education without the pressure of highly competitive admissions. This school shines in diverse programs, particularly in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. Students here can expect a supportive environment that encourages both academic and personal growth.
Looking ahead, graduates from UW-Eau Claire see median earnings of around $58,561 ten years after completing their degree. This number reflects a strong return on investment, especially considering the affordability of the institution. The net price after aid is about $16,550, making it accessible for many students. With 20% of students receiving Pell Grants, there’s a commitment to serving individuals from various economic backgrounds, which can positively impact social mobility.
When it comes to the practicalities, the median debt for graduates stands at $20,909, which is manageable given the earning potential. Students who thrive here often take advantage of the university’s strong community ties and practical programs. Those interested in fields that are in demand, like Health Professions and Education, tend to find fulfilling careers that align with their studies. Overall, UW-Eau Claire presents a grounded option for students ready to launch their careers while keeping costs in check.
Rankings
- #7 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #7 Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #11 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
- #12 Highest-Yield Colleges (Most-Loved)
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #12 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #14 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
- #16 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,220. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- SAT Average
- 1220
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- ACT Range
- 22–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 78%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,157
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.27
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 10,403
- Admitted
- 7,971
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 67% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school more than half of admitted students choose.
- Yield Rate
- 67%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 0%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 41%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 41% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is $19,228, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,550. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,270 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,909 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,642
- Out-of-State
- $19,228
- Avg Net Price
- $16,550
- Median Debt
- $20,909
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,270
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,968
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,766
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,778
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire earn a median of $58,561, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,011
- 8 Years
- $55,231
- 10 Years
- $58,561
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (807)
- 39%
- 100% (807)
- 39%
- 100% (807)
- 39%
- 100% (807)
- 39%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,550/year ($66,200 total). Graduates earn $58,561 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,416,245 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,350,045 (21.4× your investment). The median debt is $20,909, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 66% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,200
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,416,245
- Net Return
- $1,350,045
- ROI Multiple
- 21.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,550
- Median Debt
- $20,909
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,119,030
- Investment Income
- $98,112
Top Programs
The fields University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 27% $69,861 early-career
- Health Professions 15% $73,682 early-career
- Education 9% $48,693 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $54,060 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $45,751 early-career
- Psychology 5% $36,930 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $49,387 early-career
- Physical Sciences 3% $47,548 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,220. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is $19,228, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,550. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,270 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,909 in federal student loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire earn a median of $58,561, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offer Early Decision?
No. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 41% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
About 67% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
- University of Wisconsin-La CrosseLa Crosse, WI · Close peer71% grad $60,378 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA · Close peer54% grad $57,466 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · Close peer62% grad $55,356 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CT · Close peer49% grad $58,562 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · Close peer68% grad $55,177 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA · Close peer67% grad $64,874 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note