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University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-River Falls says yes to 81.7% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $54,458 median earnings.
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University of Wisconsin-River Falls anchors the college town of River Falls, WI, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Physics, where graduates median $85,638 four years out. 20.8% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 4,205 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 76.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 19 and 25 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on University of Wisconsin-River Falls's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, University of Wisconsin-River Falls received 5,903 applications and admitted 4,818 (81.6%), with 1,063 enrolling.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. University of Wisconsin-River Falls's submitters' middle half scored 19–25 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 19 | 22 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How University of Wisconsin-River Falls compares
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | Wisconsin median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 81.7% | 81.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,008 | $33,396 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $54,458 | $55,452 | $53,781 |
At $54,458, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($55,452). Look at University of Wisconsin-River Falls's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $9,008 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $17,470. For non-residents, University of Wisconsin-River Falls's $17,470 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 4,205 undergrads, University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
57% graduate within six years. Roughly 43% don't — ask a University of Wisconsin-River Falls tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at University of Wisconsin-River Falls
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Physics | $85,638 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $76,951 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,583 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $71,715 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,509 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $61,411 |
| Biology, General | $60,875 |
| Plant Sciences | $59,732 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $57,307 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $54,963 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $54,043 |
| Psychology, General | $53,242 |
| Social Work | $51,694 |
| Criminology | $51,586 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,148 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $51,089 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $50,797 |
| Animal Sciences | $48,680 |
| History | $47,891 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,004 |
| Sociology | $45,741 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,705 |
Median earnings for these 22 University of Wisconsin-River Falls programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $54,458 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 36 additional University of Wisconsin-River Falls programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
The middle 50% of University of Wisconsin-River Falls's submitters earned ACT composites of 19–25; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is University of Wisconsin-River Falls's acceptance rate?
81.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 4,818 admitted from 5,903 applicants.
How much does University of Wisconsin-River Falls cost?
In-state tuition is $9,008; out-of-state students pay $17,470. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $54,458 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside — 75.4% admitted
- Wisconsin Lutheran College — 78.2% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse — 75.5% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — 82.3% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.