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University of Wisconsin-Madison vs University of Wisconsin-River Falls

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public university in Madison, WI. University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a public university in River Falls, WI. University of Wisconsin-Madison admits about 45% of applicants and University of Wisconsin-River Falls about 82%, making University of Wisconsin-Madison the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,054 a year at University of Wisconsin-River Falls after aid, and about $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. About 89% of students graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison, compared with 59% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Ten years after enrolling, University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni earn a median of about $73,792, against $54,458 for University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

University of Wisconsin-River Falls

River Falls, WI · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Madison, WI
River Falls, WI
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
36,902
4,205
Acceptance rate
45%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.39–3.89
SAT (middle 50%)
1380–1520
1010–1210
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
19–26
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,354
$14,054
Full cost / yr
$28,679
$19,781
In-state tuition
$11,603
$9,008
Out-of-state tuition
$42,103
$17,470
Application fee
$70
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,200
$8,472
$30k - $48k
$4,101
$9,014
$48k - $75k
$8,134
$10,796
$75k - $110k
$17,763
$16,578
Over $110k
$27,292
$18,234
Outcomes
Graduation rate
89%
59%
Freshman retention
96%
76%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$61,275
$46,524
Median earnings (10 yr)
$73,792
$54,458
Median debt at graduation
$20,484
$20,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
21%
First-generation students
17%
26%
International students
10%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-River Falls harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is harder to get into. It admits about 45% of applicants, compared with 82% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,054 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
Before aid, University of Wisconsin-River Falls costs about $19,781 a year and University of Wisconsin-Madison about $28,679. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,200 there, against about $8,472 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is the larger of the two, with about 36,902 undergraduates against 4,205 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-River Falls have a better graduation rate?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 59% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Do graduates of University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-River Falls earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni earn more on average: a median of about $73,792 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,458 for University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-River Falls require SAT or ACT scores?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Wisconsin-River Falls is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-River Falls look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1380–1520 at University of Wisconsin-Madison and 1010–1210 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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