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University of Wisconsin-River Falls

#461 in US ranking River Falls, WI
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Wisconsin-River Falls award
University of Wisconsin-River Falls award

Cost

Cost / year
$20,950
Tuition & fees
$9,436
Avg. aid
$5,527
Receiving aid
93%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
82%
ACT range
19–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
57%
Median salary
$46,187
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

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.

What are the admission requirements at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

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.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

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.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

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.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

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.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

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.

University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions Factors

ACT range
19–26
136
Acceptance rate
82%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
82%
Wisconsin
82%
US
78%

25% of admitted students enrolled (1,133 of 4,510)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions

Applicants
Total: 5,519
Admission
Total: 4,510
Enrolled
Total: 1,133
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

University of Wisconsin-River Falls First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 529
Out-of-state: 593
International: 10

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,133
Transfer: 214

University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admission Requirements

Median composite ACT score

22

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

55.4%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

University of Wisconsin-River Falls Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Data 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.

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