River Falls, WI · Private University
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$54,458
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,606
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$16,887
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$67,548
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.23x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
60.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,714
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates earn $9,458 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Wisconsin-River Falls ranked by graduate earnings
45 graduates
28 graduates
21 graduates
196 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Wisconsin-River Falls
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Systems Analysis: $69,067) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $32,228) is $36,839/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems AnalysisBest ROI | $69,067 | 4.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $66,802 | 4.0x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $62,196 | 3.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,644 | 3.5x |
| Agricultural Engineering | $54,619 | 3.2x |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $52,519 | 3.1x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $52,088 | 3.1x |
| Social Work | $50,045 | 3.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $49,880 | 3.0x |
| Plant Sciences | $49,073 | 2.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,548 | 2.7x |
| Criminology(1yr data) | $45,113 | 2.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,718 | 2.6x |
| Biology, General | $44,084 | 2.6x |
| Animal Sciences | $44,011 | 2.6x |
| Social Sciences, General(1yr data) | $42,357 | 2.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,851 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,663 | 2.5x |
| Psychology, General | $40,714 | 2.4x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest | $32,228 | 1.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Wisconsin-River Falls stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $54,458 10 years after starting, $9,458 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.