Students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire consistently achieve earnings that place the institution among the top quarter of public universities nationwide for long-term financial outcomes.
The combination of reasonable costs and strong career preparation creates a reliable pathway to middle-class careers and financial stability.
Azimuth ranks the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 77th out of 406 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 19% for overall value. This medium-sized Wisconsin public university consistently delivers strong long-term financial outcomes while maintaining reasonable affordability across income levels. With nearly 19% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 22% being first-generation college students, UW-Eau Claire provides meaningful access while achieving graduation rates that exceed many peer institutions.
What distinguishes UW-Eau Claire is its ability to produce graduates who earn well above typical expectations for a regional public university. Ten-year median earnings of $58,561 place the institution in the top quartile nationally for graduate earnings, reflecting strong programs in nursing, business administration, and emerging technology fields like artificial intelligence. The university's 68% six-year graduation rate demonstrates solid student support and academic rigor.
As a comprehensive public university in Wisconsin, UW-Eau Claire offers the personal attention of a medium-sized institution with the academic breadth and career preparation typically found at larger research universities. For families seeking predictable costs, strong graduation rates, and graduates who consistently find well-paying careers, UW-Eau Claire represents a compelling combination of accessibility and long-term value.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on career-oriented fields that lead directly to stable employment. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both a large program with 149 graduates and a high-earning field with median salaries of $62,012, making it the university's strongest combination of scale and financial return. Business Administration and Management, as the largest single program with 182 graduates, provides a reliable pathway to middle-management careers with median earnings of $47,260.
The most impressive individual earnings come from the university's Artificial Intelligence program, where 67 graduates earn a median of $69,867, reflecting both the program's quality and the growing demand for technology skills in the regional economy. This program represents UW-Eau Claire's ability to adapt to emerging career fields while maintaining its traditional strengths in business and health sciences.
What makes UW-Eau Claire's program mix particularly effective is the balance between high-enrollment programs that serve many students and specialized programs that offer exceptional earning potential. The university has built strength in practical, professional fields while maintaining the academic breadth that helps graduates adapt to changing career demands over time.
Graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that consistently outperform many peer institutions. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $58,561, placing the university in the 77th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. This performance reflects both the quality of academic programs and the university's connection to regional and national job markets that value UW-Eau Claire credentials.
The strongest financial returns come from the university's standout programs. Adult Health Nursing leads with 149 graduates earning a median of $62,012 ten years out, combining high enrollment with excellent pay to create the institution's highest aggregate return. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program with 182 graduates, produces solid median earnings of $47,260 and represents a reliable path to middle-class careers. The most impressive individual earnings come from Artificial Intelligence, where 67 graduates earn a median of $69,867, reflecting the growing demand for technology skills in the regional economy.
UW-Eau Claire's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that translate directly into employment opportunities. The university's strength in health sciences, business, and emerging technology creates multiple pathways to financial success, while maintaining the broad liberal arts foundation that helps graduates adapt to changing career demands over time.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers predictable and reasonable affordability across all income levels. Low-income students pay about $9,565 annually after aid, which sits comfortably below national averages for public universities. Middle-income families see net prices around $13,803 per year, while higher-income families pay approximately $20,469 annually—all figures that reflect Wisconsin's commitment to accessible public higher education.
Debt levels remain manageable for most UW-Eau Claire students. Typical graduates leave with about $20,909 in federal student loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns with the university's strong earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $11,300, indicating that many families can cover a substantial portion of costs through savings, work, and grants rather than relying heavily on parent loans. The university's zero percent federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates consistently manage their debt obligations successfully.
What makes UW-Eau Claire particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students borrow and what they ultimately earn. With median earnings approaching $59,000 ten years after enrollment, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building toward long-term financial stability. The combination of reasonable upfront costs and strong post-graduation earnings creates a financial pathway that works for families across the income spectrum.
University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
