Head-to-head · 2026
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Compare average net price ($15,014 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; $14,054 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls), ROI score (9.16 vs 9.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,990 vs $54,458), and admissions selectivity (90.7% acceptance at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 81.7% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.16 | 9.69 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,014 | $14,054 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $60,056 | $56,216 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,398 | $9,008 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,398 | $17,470 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,990 ✓ | $54,458 |
| Acceptance rate | 90.7% | 81.7% |
| Graduation rate | 49.3% | 57% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 73% | 76.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 16,758 | 4,205 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1090 | 1150 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,329 | $8,472 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,709 | $9,014 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,344 | $10,796 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,315 | $16,578 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $21,477 | $18,234 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.7% | 12% |
| Psychology, General | 4.7% | 3.6% |
| Biology, General | 2% | 5.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.6% | 2.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.4% | 5.3% |
| Marketing | 4.9% | 0.1% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.7% | 1.1% |
| Social Work | 3.5% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Wisconsin-River Falls reports the lower average net price by $960 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,840 difference over four years ($56,216 vs $60,056).
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reports $532 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,990 vs $54,458). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 73% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and 76.5% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs University of Wisconsin-River Falls, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is cheaper — average net price $14,054 per year vs $15,014 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The annual difference of $960 adds up to about $3,840 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,990 vs $54,458 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The gap in the federal data is $532. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is more selective at 81.7% acceptance vs 90.7% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.