


The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation that may apply to a particular degree program.
HLC accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when students seek to transfer credit or pursue further study. It does not, by itself, guarantee that another college will accept a specific course or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license. Applicants to fields such as teacher education or other licensed professions should confirm the current approval and licensing pathway for the exact program they intend to enter.
First-year applicants should expect to submit an undergraduate application and a secondary-school academic record showing high school completion or an accepted equivalent, such as a GED. UWRF reviews academic preparation rather than operating under an open-admission policy.
Secondary-school grades and transcripts are required in the reported admissions criteria. Class rank, recommendations, and completion of a college-preparatory program may be considered but are not required. ACT or SAT scores may be considered rather than required; applicants should check the policy for their intended entry term before deciding whether sending scores would help their application. English-language proficiency documentation may be required of applicants whose circumstances call for it.
In the reported first-year admissions cycle, UWRF admitted 4,510 of 5,519 applicants - about 82%. That describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's probability of admission. Students interested in a major with additional entry standards should check those separately from general university admission.
Applicants should confirm the application charge, if any, in the application system they will use for their intended entry term. Application charges and waiver arrangements can differ by applicant category and change independently of tuition.
A student seeking a fee waiver should review eligibility and request instructions before submitting or paying for an application; a waiver is not the same as a later refund. Applicants should also keep application charges separate from any housing, orientation, or enrollment-related payment.
Army ROTC is available to UWRF students through a campus-based opportunity. ROTC combines college coursework with military leadership training and can lead to a commission for students who complete the applicable requirements.
Participation in ROTC and receiving an ROTC scholarship are separate matters. Scholarships have their own eligibility and application rules, and commissioning carries a service obligation. Interested students should discuss course scheduling, physical and medical standards, scholarship terms, and service commitments with the Army ROTC program before treating it as part of an academic or financial plan.
UWRF generally accepts eligible coursework in transfer from other accredited institutions, but admission as a transfer student does not mean every prior course will satisfy a requirement in the new major. Applicants should submit official transcripts from each college attended so their academic history can be reviewed.
The university also reports accepting Advanced Placement credit and CLEP credit under applicable rules. Transfer students should distinguish three questions: whether they qualify for admission, how many credits UWRF awards, and where those credits fit in their degree plan. A course accepted as elective credit, for example, may not replace a required major course.
Before committing to enrollment, a transfer applicant should request an official credit evaluation and review it with an adviser in the intended major. This is especially important for sequential courses, teacher preparation, and programs with restricted or specialized requirements.
UWRF students can investigate international study through university advising and approved programs, including opportunities that may differ in length, destination, and academic focus. A semester abroad and a short faculty-led experience can have substantially different costs and effects on a degree schedule.
Students should obtain academic approval before paying a program deposit: approval of the experience does not automatically establish how each course will count toward a major. They should also compare program charges, travel expenses, passport or visa requirements, and whether their particular financial aid can be used for the approved option.
25% of admitted students enrolled (1,133 of 4,510)
Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite ACT score
22Percent of students submitting ACT scores
55.4%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Considered but not requiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.