Head-to-head · 2026
University of Wisconsin-Parkside vs University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Compare average net price ($11,772 at University of Wisconsin-Parkside; $14,054 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls), ROI score (10.86 vs 9.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($51,129 vs $54,458), and admissions selectivity (75.4% acceptance at University of Wisconsin-Parkside; 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-Parkside | University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.86 ✓ | 9.69 |
| Avg net price | $11,772 ✓ | $14,054 |
| 4-year avg net price | $47,088 ✓ | $56,216 |
| In-state tuition | $8,270 | $9,008 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $17,429 | $17,470 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $51,129 | $54,458 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 75.4% | 81.7% |
| Graduation rate | 40.4% | 57% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 68.7% | 76.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $20,492 ✓ | $20,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,844 | 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-Parkside | University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,425 ✓ | $8,472 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,592 ✓ | $9,014 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,241 | $10,796 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,071 ✓ | $16,578 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,917 ✓ | $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-Parkside | University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 27.5% | 12% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.9% | 8.4% |
| Psychology, General | 5.7% | 3.6% |
| Biology, General | 3.5% | 5.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4.5% | 2.5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 4.3% | 2.5% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.7% | 1.9% |
| Sociology | 3.5% | 1.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Wisconsin-Parkside reports the lower average net price by $2,282 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,128 difference over four years ($47,088 vs $56,216).
University of Wisconsin-River Falls reports $3,329 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,458 vs $51,129). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 68.7% at University of Wisconsin-Parkside and 76.5% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Median federal debt among completers is $20,492 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-Parkside 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-Parkside is cheaper — average net price $11,772 per year vs $14,054 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The annual difference of $2,282 adds up to about $9,128 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,458 vs $51,129 at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The gap in the federal data is $3,329. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside is more selective at 75.4% acceptance vs 81.7% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
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.