UW-Stout vs University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF)

Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Stout and University of Wisconsin-River Falls stand as two distinct academic havens, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share the esteemed reputation of the University of Wisconsin System, they diverge in several aspects, catering to different student aspirations and preferences. This side-by-side comparison delves into the intricacies of each university, contrasting their acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes. Whether you seek a comprehensive overview or intricate details, this analysis equips you with the knowledge to make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of Wisconsin-River Falls	University of Wisconsin-Stout
Overview
Location	River Falls, Wisconsin	Menomonie, Wisconsin
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	72.0%	68.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	86.2%	91.4%
Application fees	$56	$56
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	19 - 25	20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score	58.0%	63.0%
Total number of applicants	3,933	4,890
Total number of admissions given out	3,392	4,469
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,016	1,324
Yield rate	30.0%	29.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $19,888 Out of state: $27,461	In state: $20,015 Out of state: $28,282
Average net price	$14,318	$16,063
Tuition	In state: $6,428 Out of state: $14,001	In state: $7,014 Out of state: $15,281
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,450 Meal plan: $2,572	Room/dormitory: $4,810 Meal plan: $2,988
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	79.0% Average amount $3,231	69.0% Average amount $3,619
Students receiving federal student loan	53.0% Average amount $4,902	54.0% Average amount $4,720
Students taking out private loans	13.0% Average amount $9,070	13.0% Average amount $9,937

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,988 Men 34.2% Women 65.8%	6,634 Men 57.5% Women 42.5%
Graduate students	406 Men 25.6% Women 74.4%	1,061 Men 30.5% Women 69.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	52.1%	42.9%
International students	0.7%	2.2%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	2,134	3,135
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Minnesota Wisconsin Illinois Arizona Oklahoma	Wisconsin Minnesota Illinois Iowa California

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Agriculture Business Social Sciences Psychology	Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Engineering Technologies Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	56.6%	56.1%
Dropout rate	42.6%	41.4%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,546 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $77,313 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,342 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $62,689 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,223 Year 2: $49,019 Year 3: $61,513 Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,118 Year 2: $53,358 Year 3: $61,142 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $43,100 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $54,774 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $47,526 Year 2: $48,265 Year 3: $54,189 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,143 Year 2: $48,965 Year 3: $53,686 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,910 Year 2: $46,321 Year 3: $52,959 Agricultural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,144 Year 2: $49,269 Year 3: $52,148 Agricultural Business and Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,312 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $46,018	Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,530 Year 2: $64,121 Year 3: $72,975 Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,164 Year 2: $61,064 Year 3: $72,939 Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,720 Year 2: $63,302 Year 3: $69,496 Manufacturing Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,550 Year 2: $65,131 Year 3: $69,380 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,751 Year 2: $64,281 Year 3: $69,305 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,998 Year 2: $52,420 Year 3: $67,852 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,510 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $65,167 Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,326 Year 2: $40,647 Year 3: $56,044 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,967 Year 2: $46,708 Year 3: $54,865 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,597 Year 2: $48,432 Year 3: $53,218

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of UW-Stout and UW-River Falls?

UW-Stout is known as Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, emphasizing career-focused programs in applied science, technology, engineering, art, and design. UW-River Falls, on the other hand, offers a broader liberal arts education with strong programs in agriculture, education, and business.
How do the campus environments differ between UW-Stout and UW-River Falls?

UW-Stout has a more urban campus located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, offering a blend of college-town atmosphere and access to city amenities. UW-River Falls provides a more traditional, smaller college-town experience in River Falls, Wisconsin, with a focus on a close-knit community.
What types of programs are UW-Stout particularly known for?

UW-Stout excels in programs like engineering technology, game design and development, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, packaging, and applied mathematics and computer science. Their focus is on hands-on learning and preparing students for specific careers.
What programs are UW-River Falls particularly known for?

UW-River Falls is highly regarded for its agriculture programs (including animal science and crop science), teacher education programs, pre-veterinary medicine, and business administration. They offer a strong foundation in these fields with opportunities for research and practical experience.
How do the class sizes generally compare between the two universities?

Both universities strive to maintain reasonable class sizes. However, UW-River Falls, being slightly smaller overall, may offer more opportunities for smaller, more intimate class settings, especially in upper-level courses. UW-Stout, while having larger overall enrollment, still maintains a focus on student-faculty interaction.
What are the typical admission requirements for UW-Stout and UW-River Falls?

Both universities require a strong high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores (though test-optional policies may be in place). UW-Stout may place slightly more emphasis on math and science coursework due to its polytechnic focus, while UW-River Falls looks for a well-rounded academic background.
What kind of career services and internship opportunities are available at each university?

Both UW-Stout and UW-River Falls offer comprehensive career services, including resume workshops, mock interviews, and job fairs. UW-Stout's career services are heavily integrated with its polytechnic focus, providing connections to industry partners in technology and design. UW-River Falls leverages its location and alumni network to provide internships in agriculture, education, and business.
How do the costs of attending UW-Stout and UW-River Falls compare?

Tuition and fees are generally comparable between the two universities, as they are both part of the University of Wisconsin System. However, total cost of attendance can vary based on factors like housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites for the most up-to-date cost information.
What student life and extracurricular activities are offered at UW-Stout and UW-River Falls?

Both universities offer a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. UW-Stout has a strong emphasis on technology-related clubs and design-focused groups. UW-River Falls offers a variety of clubs related to agriculture, education, and the liberal arts, as well as a robust intramural sports program.
What are the advantages of choosing UW-Stout over UW-River Falls?

If you're seeking a career-focused education in technology, design, or applied sciences, UW-Stout's polytechnic approach and industry connections are a significant advantage. Its focus on hands-on learning and preparing students for specific roles makes it a strong choice for those with clear career goals.
What are the advantages of choosing UW-River Falls over UW-Stout?

If you're interested in agriculture, education, or a broader liberal arts education, UW-River Falls offers strong programs and a supportive community. Its smaller size and focus on student-faculty interaction can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive in a close-knit environment.
Do both universities offer graduate programs?

Yes, both UW-Stout and UW-River Falls offer a variety of graduate programs. UW-Stout's graduate programs tend to align with its polytechnic focus, offering advanced degrees in areas like technology management, information and communication technologies, and career and technical education. UW-River Falls offers graduate programs in areas such as education, agriculture, and business.

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