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University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

UW-Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a public institution in Eau Claire with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1190, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 9K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

68% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $58,561 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,948.

Established
1916
Motto
"Excellence"
Mascot
Blu
Type
Public university
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

76%Acceptance
1190SAT Avg
8,995Students
19:1Student:Faculty
68%Grad Rate
$58,561Earnings 10yr
$16,948Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.1%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24
2127

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,277
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,516
Room & Board$9,200
Books & Supplies$400
Total Cost of Attendance$21,014
Average Net Price$16,948
Median Debt at Graduation$20,909
Monthly Payment (10yr)$222

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,565
$30–48K$10,534
$48–75K$13,803
$75–110K$18,951
$110K+$20,469

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

57.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$13,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

68

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

18

Burglary

4

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

6

Motor Vehicle Theft

7

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

18

Drug Arrests

13

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (102)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

82%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
8,995
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
22%
Pell Grant Recipients
19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 86%
Black 1%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 3%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate67.6%
Freshman Retention81.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$50,011
10 Years$58,561

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#20
vs 2024
Forbes
#259
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Varsity sportsSwimming 25Swimming forTennis forGolf forSoccer forVolleyball forCollege world

History & Fun Facts

  • Philipp said the university was founded "in order that you, the sons and daughters of the commonwealth, might have better educational service.
  • In 1927, the name of the college was changed to Eau Claire State Teachers College and the school began offering a bachelor's degree program.
  • Eau Claire's nickname – "Wisconsin's Most Beautiful Campus" – was first applied during this time.
  • " In 1964, the Board of Regents gave university standing to the state colleges, and the institution at Eau Claire was renamed Wisconsin State University – Eau Claire.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

100Average

Estimated from WI state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
87 mi(151 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
216 mi(374 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
280 mi(485 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul84 mi
MKE Milwaukee220 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare266 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1034 mi · ~29h 52m drive
New York, NY929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Hartford, CT968 mi · ~27h 58m drive
Providence, RI1028 mi · ~29h 42m drive
Albany, NY897 mi · ~25h 55m drive
Syracuse, NY772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Rochester, NY699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Buffalo, NY642 mi · ~18h 33m drive
Philadelphia, PA897 mi · ~25h 55m drive
Pittsburgh, PA657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Harrisburg, PA806 mi · ~23h 17m drive
Newark, NJ921 mi · ~26h 36m drive
Washington, DC847 mi · ~24h 28m drive
Baltimore, MD852 mi · ~24h 37m drive
Atlanta, GA852 mi · ~24h 37m drive
Charlotte, NC868 mi · ~25h 5m drive
Raleigh, NC919 mi · ~26h 33m drive
Miami, FL1458 mi · ~42h 7m drive
Orlando, FL1253 mi · ~36h 12m drive
Tampa, FL1266 mi · ~36h 34m drive
Nashville, TN646 mi · ~18h 40m drive
New Orleans, LA1029 mi · ~29h 44m drive
Richmond, VA885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
Chicago, IL280 mi · ~8h 5m drive
Detroit, MI456 mi · ~13h 10m drive
Minneapolis, MN87 mi · ~2h 31m drive
St. Louis, MO432 mi · ~12h 29m drive
Kansas City, MO424 mi · ~12h 15m drive
Indianapolis, IN442 mi · ~12h 46m drive
Columbus, OH547 mi · ~15h 48m drive
Cleveland, OH544 mi · ~15h 43m drive
Milwaukee, WI216 mi · ~6h 14m drive
Dallas, TX878 mi · ~25h 22m drive
Houston, TX1060 mi · ~30h 37m drive
Austin, TX1060 mi · ~30h 37m drive
San Antonio, TX1129 mi · ~32h 37m drive
Los Angeles, CA1598 mi · ~46h 10m drive
San Francisco, CA1665 mi · ~48h 6m drive
San Diego, CA1605 mi · ~46h 22m drive
Seattle, WA1477 mi · ~42h 40m drive
Portland, OR1510 mi · ~43h 37m drive
Denver, CO772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Phoenix, AZ1347 mi · ~38h 55m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1068 mi · ~30h 51m drive
Honolulu, HI4048 mi · ~116h 57m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Application Checklist

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