Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire worth it?
Pay $16,550/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $58,561 ten years out — about 3.5× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire vs Wisconsin avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Wisconsin college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Wisconsin avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $16,550 | $20,030 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $58,561 | $54,525 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $20,909 | $23,386 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 63.8% | 57.6% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 82.3% | 78.7% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $86,820 over four years. Most students get $5,155/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $20,909 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 36% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire grad earns about $542,440 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The average student at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire pays $16,550 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $21,705 published sticker price. That is below the WI average net price of $20,030.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $58,561 — above the WI median of $54,525. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $20,909, roughly $227 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 36% of one year's median earnings.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $16,550 per year. That's $5,155/yr in financial aid against the $21,705 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $66,200.
How much do University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates earn a median of $58,561 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.5× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $20,909 — about $227/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 42.1% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire a value grade of B — top 37% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $16,550/yr, earn $58,561/yr ten years out, ROI score of 8.85. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
19.6% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 42.1% take federal student loans. On average, students get $5,155 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
In-state tuition is $9,642 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $19,228 per year — a difference of $9,586/yr or $38,344 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $10,270. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $20,778. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →