About University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls serves 4,152 students in a small town setting about an hour from Minneapolis. This full university has built its reputation around agriculture and teacher preparation programs, drawing on Wisconsin's farming heritage and the state's need for educators. With an 84% acceptance rate and average ACT scores of 22, River Falls welcomes students who are ready to work hard in practical, hands-on programs.
Students pay an average net price of $14,714 after financial aid, which represents solid value for a four-year degree. Graduates earn a median salary of $54,458 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $20,500. The monthly loan payment of $217 is manageable given the earning potential, making this an affordable path to the middle class.
Women make up 64% of the student body, reflecting the university's strong education programs where female students traditionally predominate. The 73% retention rate suggests students find what they're looking for, though the 61% six-year graduation rate indicates some struggle to finish. With 15 Division III sports teams and 457 student-athletes, River Falls maintains the feel of a traditional college town where Falcon pride runs deep.
Students pay an average net price of $14,714 after financial aid, which represents solid value for a four-year degree. Graduates earn a median salary of $54,458 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $20,500. The monthly loan payment of $217 is manageable given the earning potential, making this an affordable path to the middle class.
Women make up 64% of the student body, reflecting the university's strong education programs where female students traditionally predominate. The 73% retention rate suggests students find what they're looking for, though the 61% six-year graduation rate indicates some struggle to finish. With 15 Division III sports teams and 457 student-athletes, River Falls maintains the feel of a traditional college town where Falcon pride runs deep.
Academics & Faculty
University of Wisconsin-River Falls built its reputation as an agricultural powerhouse and teacher training ground within the UW system. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally, which shows in the strong 61% four-year graduation rate for a regional public university. Agriculture and education programs remain the school's calling cards, drawing students who want hands-on learning in smaller classes. The 73% retention rate reflects solid academic support, though some students transfer to larger UW campuses for specialized majors. As a full university, River Falls offers broad liberal arts alongside its signature programs, giving students flexibility to explore before committing to agriculture or education careers.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60.8%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 60.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 60.9%
- Retention Rate
- 72.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $54,458
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,949 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $55,964 |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Bachelor | $53,358 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $52,941 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Certificate | $52,107 |
| Agricultural Engineering. | Bachelor | $49,269 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $49,019 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $48,965 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $48,265 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,321 |
Campus Life
River Falls sits 30 minutes east of Minneapolis-St. Paul, giving students access to major city internships and cultural events. The campus houses 2,417 students in residence halls, meaning about 58% of the student body lives on campus. Wisconsin winters demand serious cold-weather gear, with temperatures regularly dropping below zero from December through February.
Women make up 64% of the student population, creating a female-majority environment. The 457 student-athletes across 15 Division III sports teams form a visible part of campus life, though without athletic scholarships the focus stays on academics and participation. Students often head to the Twin Cities on weekends for concerts, shopping, and internship networking. The Kinnickinnic River runs through town, offering canoeing and fishing when it's not frozen. Campus traditions center around agriculture programs and teacher preparation, reflecting the school's historic strengths. With 87% of students being white and 45% from Wisconsin, the community tends toward Midwestern homogeneity. Small-town River Falls means most entertainment happens on campus or requires that Twin Cities drive.
Women make up 64% of the student population, creating a female-majority environment. The 457 student-athletes across 15 Division III sports teams form a visible part of campus life, though without athletic scholarships the focus stays on academics and participation. Students often head to the Twin Cities on weekends for concerts, shopping, and internship networking. The Kinnickinnic River runs through town, offering canoeing and fishing when it's not frozen. Campus traditions center around agriculture programs and teacher preparation, reflecting the school's historic strengths. With 87% of students being white and 45% from Wisconsin, the community tends toward Midwestern homogeneity. Small-town River Falls means most entertainment happens on campus or requires that Twin Cities drive.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 2,417 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
25 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 3°–22°F
- July Avg
- 58°–82°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 31.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- -731.9"
Student Demographics
This regional Wisconsin university draws a student body that reflects its agricultural and education roots. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the 4,152 students, largely due to strong teacher preparation programs that historically attract more female students. The campus serves a mix of local and regional students, with slightly more coming from outside Wisconsin than within state borders. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, indicating the school provides accessible higher education to working-class families throughout the upper Midwest. The overwhelmingly white student population mirrors rural Wisconsin demographics.
- Men
- 36.0%
- Women
- 64.0%
- White
- 87.0%
- Black
- 1.9%
- Hispanic
- 3.7%
- Asian
- 2.7%
- In-State Students
- 44.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 20.5%
Location
River Falls sits in western Wisconsin, about 30 miles east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The town of 16,000 residents doubles as a classic college community where students make up roughly a quarter of the population. Campus borders the Kinnickinnic River, known for strong trout fishing that attracts anglers nationwide. The rolling farmland surrounding River Falls reflects the university's agricultural heritage and strong programs in farming and natural resources. Small-town charm defines the area, with local coffee shops and restaurants catering to the 4,152 students who call this place home during the academic year. Students considering colleges in Wisconsin may also compare University of Wisconsin-River Falls with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- River Falls, Wisconsin 54022-5001
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $54,458
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,390
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,700
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 76.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $217/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
UW-River Falls accepts 84.48% of applicants with an average ACT score of 22. The university maintains accessible admission standards while serving as a regional campus in the respected UW system.
How much does University of Wisconsin-River Falls cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $14,714 annually, with in-state tuition at $8,606. The school keeps costs manageable for Wisconsin families, though only 20.48% of students receive Pell Grants.
What is the student-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
The university maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio among its 4,152 enrolled students. UW-River Falls is known for strong programs in agriculture and education within a comprehensive university setting.
What do graduates of University of Wisconsin-River Falls typically earn?
Alumni earn a median salary of $54,458 ten years after graduation with typical monthly loan payments of $217. The 97.5% employment rate reflects the practical, career-focused education the university provides.
Where is University of Wisconsin-River Falls campus located?
The campus sits in River Falls, Wisconsin, a town-distant setting that houses 2,417 students on campus. Women make up 64.04% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment.
Does University of Wisconsin-River Falls offer athletic scholarships?
The university offers $0 in athletic scholarships as a NCAA Division III institution with 457 student-athletes competing in 15 sports. The Falcons compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference where athletics emphasize academic achievement over athletic recruiting.
Similar Schools
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Platteville, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Indiana University-Southeast
New Albany, Indiana
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, Connecticut
Francis Marion University
Florence, South Carolina