UW-Eau Claire combines accessible 76.1% admission rates with above-average earnings outcomes, producing graduates who earn $8,445 more than peer institution medians. As an Opportunity Builders institution, the university effectively supports economic mobility while maintaining controlled debt levels at $20,909.
In the above-average tier, driven by solid earnings outcomes relative to educational investment
With above-average positioning, indicating controlled costs and reasonable debt levels
Around the national average, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With a strong tier designation, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Opportunity Builders: accessible admission, strong mobility
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire ranks #400 nationally with composite performance at the 75.5th percentile, demonstrating strong performance across multiple institutional measures. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public university maintains an accessible 76.1% admission rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
UW-Eau Claire enrolls 18.7% Pell-eligible students and 22.0% first-generation students, reflecting moderate access for lower-income populations. The institution achieves strong mobility performance at the 83.3rd percentile, earning the Opportunity Builders designation.
Students demonstrate competitive academic preparation with ACT scores ranking at the 92nd percentile nationally and SAT scores showing top-tier performance. Graduates earn a median of $58,561 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 68th percentile nationally and $8,445 above the peer median of $50,116.
This combination of accessible admission, solid academic preparation, and above-average earnings positions UW-Eau Claire as a reliable choice for economic advancement.
UW-Eau Claire delivers consistent earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels for graduates. The institution produces median earnings of $58,561 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 68th percentile nationally and significantly above the peer median of $50,116.
While earnings fall $2,662 below expectations relative to student demographics, graduates still achieve solid financial outcomes across diverse career paths. Earnings range from $43,086 at the 25th percentile to $79,920 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied program outcomes and career trajectories.
Students seeking strong regional outcomes with accessible admission at a comprehensive public university. Well-suited for those pursuing business, health professions, or applied technology fields who value moderate debt levels and solid earnings growth.
Particularly fitting for Wisconsin residents seeking quality education with manageable costs.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's published cost of attendance totals $21,014 annually, including $9,277 in-state tuition, $9,200 for room and board, and $400 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $18,516, raising total costs accordingly.
However, the average student pays just $16,948 after financial aid, representing savings of $4,066 from the sticker price. This net price of $16,948 sits $2,855 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating reasonable affordability within the institution's comparison group.
The university's financial aid approach creates meaningful cost reductions while maintaining accessibility for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Wisconsin residents benefit from the lower in-state tuition structure, though the net price calculation reflects aid that helps both resident and non-resident students manage costs effectively.
The moderate savings from sticker price to net cost suggests targeted aid rather than across-the-board discounting, supporting students with demonstrated financial need while maintaining revenue sustainability. For families planning college costs, the published price provides an upper bound, while the net price offers a more realistic planning figure for students receiving typical aid packages.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over their early careers. Median earnings increase from $50,011 six years after enrollment to $55,231 at eight years and $58,561 at ten years, representing 17.1% growth from the six-year to ten-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from substantial cohorts, with 3,424 graduates tracked at the ten-year mark, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $8,445 more annually than the peer median of $50,116, indicating strong regional positioning for career outcomes.
The earnings distribution spans from $43,086 at the 25th percentile to $79,920 at the 75th percentile, a 1.9:1 ratio that reflects reasonable variation across different programs and career paths. Low-income graduates achieve median earnings of $46,100, ranking among the top 50% nationally for economic mobility outcomes.
Approximately 24.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $11,300 with monthly payments of $149, suggesting manageable family contribution levels.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire admits 76.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UW-Eau Claire in the Open Access category, making admission achievable for most academically prepared students.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that UW-Eau Claire is somewhat more selective than typical institutions in its comparison group, though the difference of 8.5 percentage points remains modest. This level of selectivity means that students with solid high school preparation should expect favorable admission prospects.
The university's accessible admission standards support its mission as an Opportunity Builders institution, allowing students from diverse academic backgrounds to access quality higher education. For prospective applicants, this admission rate indicates that demonstrating basic college readiness through coursework and test scores should position students competitively.
Students should focus on presenting consistent academic performance and clear educational goals rather than exceptional credentials. The relatively high acceptance rate allows the institution to serve a broad student population while maintaining academic standards through other measures.
This selectivity profile makes UW-Eau Claire an excellent option for students seeking a reliable admission outcome at a quality public university.
Artificial Intelligence.
67 graduates
Clinical Research Coordinator.
59 graduates
Information Resources Management.
69 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
82 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
149 graduates
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Clinical Research Coordinator ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 59 students with median earnings of $75,646 and an exceptional value score of 97.2.
Information Resources Management achieves #36 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 69 students with earnings of $73,147. Business Administration and Management serves as the largest program with 182 graduates earning $59,115 annually, ranking #177 nationally and #7 in Wisconsin with a solid value score of 48.1.
Adult Health Nursing graduates 149 students annually with median earnings of $66,527, while Digital Marketing produces 134 graduates earning $58,813 with strong national positioning at #94. Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology demonstrates excellent value with rankings of #48 nationally and #3 in Wisconsin, graduating 81 students who earn $51,540.
The program portfolio balances enrollment scale with earnings outcomes across business, health, and applied technology fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Illinois University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#401 ranked) | IL | 75% | $54,163 | #401 | Compare |
Suny College At Geneseo Similar quality tier (#392 ranked) | NY | 64% | $67,316 | #392 | Compare |
Auburn University Similar quality tier (#402 ranked) | AL | 50% | $65,337 | #402 | Compare |
Tennessee State University Similar quality tier (#403 ranked) | TN | 93% | $42,730 | #403 | Compare |
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Similar quality tier (#390 ranked) | OK | 80% | $45,079 | #390 | Compare |