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University of Wisconsin-River Falls — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · River Falls, WI · 4,205 students

The verdict

University of Wisconsin-River Falls charges a net price of $14,054/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $56,216. Graduates earn a median $54,458 ten years after entry, $6,098/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.2 years — a 20-year net return of $65,744, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Wisconsin-River Falls's 9.2-year payback ranks #754 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 41% of them, and #14 of 53 in Wisconsin.

Better ROI than 41% of US colleges#754 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$14,054
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$54,458
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
9.2 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
82%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Wisconsin-River Falls: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$14,054/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$56,216our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$54,458Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$6,098/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$20,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback9.2 yrsour math
20-year net return$65,744our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Wisconsin-River Falls's own numbers. Net price $14,054 × 4 years = $56,216 total. Median earnings $54,458 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,098 a year of premium. $56,216 ÷ $6,098 = 9.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $65,744. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do University of Wisconsin-River Falls students graduate with?

A median $20,500 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $54,458 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Wisconsin-River Falls students graduate?

57% finish their degree — 43% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $56,216 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $98,625 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?

Its $14,054 net price runs $1,139 below the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, and $4,556 less across the full degree.

University of Wisconsin-River Falls: frequently asked questions

Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Wisconsin-River Falls charges $14,054/yr after aid ($56,216 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $54,458 ten years out — $6,098/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 9.2 years and returns $65,744 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a University of Wisconsin-River Falls degree take to pay off?
About 9.2 years. We divide the $56,216 four-year net cost by the $6,098/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Wisconsin-River Falls cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $14,054/yr — about $56,216 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Wisconsin-River Falls compare to other Wisconsin colleges?
It ranks #14 of 53 Wisconsin colleges we track by payback. Its $54,458 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $14,054 net price is below the national median of $16,902.