University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point maintains open admission standards with a 90.1% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive admission offers. This places the institution well within the Open Access category, admitting more than 75% of applicants. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is slightly more accessible than typical public universities of similar size and mission. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's commitment to broad educational access and serving diverse student populations throughout Wisconsin and beyond. Students should understand that open admission does not guarantee automatic acceptance, but rather indicates that most academically prepared students will gain admission. The university maintains academic standards while prioritizing access for students who demonstrate college readiness. For prospective students, this accessibility means University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point can serve as a reliable option in college planning, though students should still submit strong applications demonstrating their academic preparation and commitment to higher education. This level of accessibility makes the institution particularly valuable for first-generation college students, students from rural areas, and those seeking quality education without the stress of highly competitive admission processes.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point enrolls a moderately diverse student body that reflects both Wisconsin demographics and the institution's accessibility mission. The university enrolls 27.8% Pell-eligible students and 30.6% first-generation students, indicating meaningful representation of students from lower-income families and those whose parents did not attend college. Transfer students comprise 17.9% of enrollment, demonstrating the university's commitment to serving students who begin their higher education journey at community colleges or other institutions. This composition suggests that University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point actively serves students from varied economic backgrounds while maintaining its role as a comprehensive regional university. The Pell share falls somewhat below highly diverse public institutions but indicates substantial enrollment of students who receive federal need-based aid. First-generation students represent nearly one-third of the student body, reflecting the university's success in attracting students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Students from lower-income families should recognize that more than one-quarter of enrolled students share similar financial circumstances, suggesting an environment where economic diversity is valued and supported. Transfer students should note the solid representation of students who started elsewhere, indicating institutional experience in supporting students who change their educational pathway. This composition creates a campus community where students from various backgrounds can find peers with similar experiences and challenges.
Given University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's 90.1% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students will gain admission. However, students seeking alternatives may want schools with different geographic locations, costs, or program offerings.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point demonstrate mixed but improving success patterns. The institution retains 75.4% of freshmen for sophomore year, slightly above the peer median of 73.2%, indicating that most students successfully navigate their first year transition. The six-year graduation rate of 56.0% exceeds the peer median of 49.3% by nearly seven percentage points, demonstrating that University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point provides above-average support for degree completion among similar institutions. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at 60.9%, creating a positive gap of 4.9 percentage points above the overall completion rate. This reverse completion gap is unusual and highly noteworthy, indicating exceptionally strong institutional support systems for lower-income students. Most institutions see Pell students graduate at lower rates than the overall population, making University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's achievement particularly significant. Students who gain admission should expect institutional commitment to their success, with evidence suggesting that lower-income students may actually receive enhanced support that contributes to higher completion rates. The retention and completion rates indicate that students who enroll and engage with university resources have strong prospects for degree completion. Prospective students should view these outcomes as evidence of institutional effectiveness in supporting diverse student populations through to graduation, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who historically face greater barriers to college completion.
Similar quality tier in Midwest (#402 ranked)
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Similar quality tier (#401 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#411 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#414 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#416 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools