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Roscius S. and Lydia R. Freeman HouseRoscius S. and Lydia R. Freeman House · Photo: AlexiusHoratius · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near River Falls

River Falls is a college town: 26 of every 100 residents are students

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (4,682 students on campus) is inside the city. Across Wisconsin, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town26% of residents are studentsUniversity of Wisconsin-River Falls

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of River Falls. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
4,682 students on campus
Nearest college
0.5 mi
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Residents in college
26%
Above WI (6%)
Nearest community college
55.1 mi
Chippewa Valley Technical College · $4,844 tuition
Nearest public university
0.5 mi
University of Wisconsin-River Falls · $9,008 in-state
Students on campus in River Falls
4,682
next to 17,916 residents

What stands out about college in River Falls

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town26 of every 100 River Falls residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Wisconsin.A university in River FallsThe University of Wisconsin-River Falls has 4,682 students on campus in River Falls, 57% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at University of Wisconsin-River FallsLiving in Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls charges $9,008 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $17,470. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 55.1 miles awayChippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire: tuition and fees $4,844 a year for Wisconsin residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in River Falls

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

26 of every 100 River Falls residents are in college (WI: 6).

4,682students on campus at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, next to 17,916 residents (dorm students count as residents)
2,194college students live in River Falls households rather than dorms
28.6median age · WI 40.2
52%of residents are women · WI 50% (±1.9 points)
45%of homes rented · WI 32%
$1,107median rent · 2% above the state
Cost of living$1,107/mo median rentBSafetyCrime reported to the FBIB+HealthCDC estimatesA−Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundB+HandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change River Falls’ other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income B+

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 15.2% of River Falls residents are below the poverty line, 8.3% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 5 points either way). 53% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living B

The Cost grade leaves out the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent wherever students are a quarter of residents or more (26% here): it would mostly measure student incomes.

Health A−

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and River Falls’ median age is 28.6 (Wisconsin 40.2), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety B+

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of River Falls

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from River Falls.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls
University or collegeCommunity college
University of Wisconsin-River FallsUniversity or college · Public · 4,682 on campus · In River Falls82%admitted$14knet price57%graduate$54kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where River Falls’ median household income ($83,627) falls.

University of Wisconsin-River FallsIn River Falls · sticker $19,781$16,578a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of River Falls: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-River Falls57% graduate$54k earnings$20k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in River Falls

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Agriculture 21%Business 15%Education 14%Biology 8%Communication 6%Social sciences 6%Everything else 30%

Biggest programs

Animal Sciences178 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations131 graduates a year
$66k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods94 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas71 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Psychology, General67 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Biology, General59 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
Agricultural Business and Management42 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies40 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in River Falls

Is River Falls a college town?

Yes. 26 of every 100 River Falls residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has 4,682 students on campus, next to 17,916 residents.

What colleges are in River Falls?

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is inside the city. Chippewa Valley Technical College is 55.1 miles away in Eau Claire.

Why is River Falls’ poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 15.2% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 8.3% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 5 points).

What is the closest community college to River Falls, and what does it cost?

Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, 55.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,844 a year for Wisconsin residents; the federal net price, $12,285, counts housing and food at full cost.

How hard is it to get into the University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls admitted 82% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of River Falls. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →