Founded in 1916, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. is a Public college. Located in Wisconsin, which is a city setting in Wisconsin, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 10,085 full time undergraduate students, and 662 full time graduate students.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 22:1. There are 406 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
78%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
ACT Range
22-26
Admissions at UW-Eau Claire are considered Less Selective, with ,77% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 36 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
98% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 54% were in the top quarter, and 20% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
4%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
67%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
19%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
35%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
65%
“I feel extremely safe”
36%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
48%
“We bought the gear”
16%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
35%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
62%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
73%
“They keep regular office hours”
23%
“They”re always available”
4%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
81%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
15%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
35%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
35%
“We only party on weekends”
31%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
4%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
69%
“There might be people who do”
23%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
4%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
67%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
19%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
35%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
65%
“I feel extremely safe”
36%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
48%
“We bought the gear”
16%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
35%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
62%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
73%
“They keep regular office hours”
23%
“They”re always available”
4%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
81%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
15%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
166 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
128 Students rated off-campus housing 3.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
183 Students rated campus food 3.3 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
190 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
189 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
188 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
189 Students rated local services 4 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
189 Students rated academics 4.3 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire?
40 Students rated University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Grace
04/19/2025
Every time I visit campus, it just feels so right. It reminds me of when I test drove my current car for the first time; I knew immediately that driving it felt natural, and I still had it in the back of my mind when driving other cars. Visiting UWEC shows me so many positive aspects that I didn’t even know would factor into which college I like the best. Everyone on campus seems to be so accepting and open, and I can really see myself being a part of these communities. Among these is the Blugolds Marching Band, who I saw perform last time I toured UWEC. I want to be in a marching band in college, but I know that I don’t want to go to a huge school, so this place seems like an amazing fit for me. Watching the Blugold Marching Band makes me excited to go to college, and I can see myself being in the band, doing the same things that they do. I think that going to a college I’m very excited about will really allow me to thrive in the next few years, and I could see myself calling UWEC home. As evidenced by the Gold for Blugolds site, UWEC has many financial aid opportunities. If, as I suspect, the price of tuition is what ultimately decides where I go to college, then UWEC seems promising on that front, too. So, although I don’t yet know where I’ll end up, I hope that I’ll get to go here.
Delaney
12/29/2024
Eau Claire has a great overall atmosphere, they are inclusive to all groups and promote a safe environment. The overall facilities are outdated and in need of an up grade but work just fine. The have excellent work out facilities and great walking paths for running.
Megan
05/06/2024
I genuinely loved the school. Professors really care and classes are pretty easy if you do the work. The city is a great and has a lot to offer. Plenty of on campus jobs as well. Food options are plentiful including a Starbucks, erberts and gerberts, and einstein bagels. Easy to make friends if you join clubs.
Anna
11/16/2023
UW Eau Claire is a beautiful campus settled on the shores of the Chippewa River. The school is a leader is the field of teaching and Communication Sciences and Disorders. The staff is accesible and accommodating. There are a large variety of clubs for students.
Amelie
03/13/2022
I would say that the school is overall good and I would recommend it. The worst part is probably the food. If you live in the dorms I would highly recommend towers north or south, the other halls are all very old in comparison. They don't have as much space and it is not as modern.
Kendrick
09/22/2021
The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is an intriguing school with a family-like culture. This school isn't one that's big on separation everyone is together - if not there's something there for you. There's immense support extending from schooling to therapy. Can't go wrong with going here the only way you can fail is if you simply don't do the work.
Elizabeth
05/06/2021
I think UWEC prepared me for life after college. The professors were excellent and the class sizes are considerably smaller than many large universities. I don't think I ever had a Graduate Assistant teach any of my classes. All my professors were associate or full professors.
Nicole
12/12/2020
I love the school so far! It’s only my first year, but the teachers seem to be very nice and helpful (for the most part), there are a lot of music/art opportunities here. Overall the campus is beautiful; can’t beat the view! Campus housing was a bit rough trying to get out of it cause of the pandemic but overall, it’s great!
Alexis
05/07/2020
The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a wonderful campus full of lots of opportunities and even more supportive students and teachers. Eau Claire really puts an at home feel for there students. Almost all professors are routing for their students. They have been recently doing a lot of remodeling, and the campus is amazing. The hill keeps you in shape; towers halls are sooo nice! The food on campus is very good, nothing to crazy but everyone should be able to find one thing they absolutely love!
Courtney
03/01/2020
I chose Eau Claire only because it was close enough to my hometown to be able to go back there on a weekend and because it was far enough away that most people from my high school wouldn't go here. I am now pleasantly surprised at the quality of the experiences around campus and the city in general. UW Eau Claire has a lot of different places to eat and it has a lot of places to go off campus to have a good time. The hill separating upper and lower campus is never fun to go up and down but it does keep the students in shape. Overall, I think this is a great campus for anyone no matter their major or interests.
Shelby
01/21/2020
I absolutely love the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. When I first visited it, I had no idea where I wanted to go, but after seeing the campus I fell in love because it felt like a true college campus to me. I don't know if that makes sense, but it's true. I don't know how else to explain it. I had an "ah-ha" moment that I have only heard about in movies. It's a campus filled with amazing, friendly, and diligent students who will help you if you need it. The facility is also always available if you have any questions or just want to talk. It's also one of the safest campus's in Wisconsin, so you could go out at night and feel one hundred percent safe. It's overall an amazing campus that I recommend student to at least tour.
Alexiss
01/09/2020
I think that the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a wonderful and beautiful place to attend. The academics at this school are a high priority for most students as well as athletics and other extracurricular activities. There are a lot of extra activities to get involved in and there are a lot of opportunities to meet new people. The professors here are super helpful and always keep very strict offices hours and are generally always open to help if you ask. Chancellor Jim and the campus ducks and squirrels are a huge hit and always know how to make the students feel better.
Megan
12/06/2019
I love UW-Eau Claire! While it has been a huge transition for me, college has been an experience I adore and I can't wait for the next couple years. I think the campus treats its students fairly and equally, and also makes a big effort in trying to hear every individual voice. We take diversity and inclusion really seriously here, which is a HUGE thing for me, and I couldn't be happier with the school I chose.
Grace
12/02/2019
It's a very nice town, especially if you are looking for a music oriented school or a place that can have both the big city feel and the small class sizes. There are lots of opportunities for volunteering or research, and especially with having the mayo clinic right next door it is a great school for pre-med students.
Ladybella
09/28/2019
It is a very nice school.Hope to join you one day.I have always dreamt of going to this school.Please and please admit me please .
I hope your school continues to progress until I give birth and make my children students of your school.
God bless your school
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is 78%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
If I could go back and talk to my high-school self, I would tell myself to take more risks. As a freshman I was always so afraid of how people would look at me if I acted a certain way or said something different than others. If I would have been myself I would have made more friends and had more fun. As a sophomore it is a lot harder to make friends. I would do just about anything to go back and relive my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst would have to be the dorm quality. Because the bathrooms are usually full of spiders crawling on the ceiling and around the windows. Something that creeps me out and many other students.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
The types of students who do not like to participate in group activites. A lot of the work that we do for classes involves group work. So if someone doesn't like interacting with other students, it would be hard for them to really get along with group activities.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish that I would have been more prepared for the college life. I wish some of my teachers in high school would have prepared me a little more for college itself. I do not think college would have been such a wake up call if I was a little more prepared. I was very intimidated with my first year of college and I think if I would have known a little more about what it was going to be like then I would have been more comfortable.
If you are a person who loves having a challenge everyday then Eau Claire is right for you. Not only does Eau Claire challenge their students academically but physically too. Eau Claire has an upper and a lower campus, so one has to walk up a hill to get to upper campus where the work out center, cafeteria, and dorms are located. One should also attend Eau Claire if they like the cold because it can be a little chilly walking between classes in the winter. Those are just a few reasons why you should attend Eau Claire.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
UW-Eau Claire provides a "homey" atmosphere on campus. I enjoy the friendly people, beautiful surrounding environment and small town feel. Though the campus feels small, it has all of the opprotunites, experiences and convieniences that are offered at larger universities.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing about UW-Eau Claire is the lack of communication between professors and students. Since our school portal, which gives the ability to post grades and assignments for students viewing, is optional to professors it makes it difficult for the students to keep track of grades, assignments, and accademic standing.
Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?
Yes they are. Eau Claire is very hick. I know people who are from a small town of 250 people and I am from Minneapolis of a city of millions. Even the Madison and Milwaukee area are considered large compared to Eau Claire.
My favorite course here was my intro to communications class (CJ105) or human geography (GEOG111). I enjoyed these courses so much because of the professors. I am quite interested in the study of communication, but it was not until I took this course that I realized it. My professor made things so interesting and relevant, using real life examples to explain concepts and really incorporated the class to turn learning into a discussion experience. As for geography, I was never really interested in geography until I took this course. Again, my professor made the content very relatable and memorable, telling stories and giving us articles in the news today to better understand the material. Class participation in this school is one of those things that is not always mandatory, but you are NOT going to receive the same experience from a class compared to someone who always attends class. If you don't go, you will fall behind and this will lessen your motivation and interest to stay focused and caught up in class. It's a bad cycle. Just attend class, and things will be fine. And once you're in class, participate! Be part of the conversation, it keeps you, your fellow classmates, and your professor awake and stimulated, keeping things interesting and making everybody become more motivated. My intended major currently in communications, and as I mentioned previously, I did not know just how interested I was in this field until I took the intro course. It is a broad field of study with lots of leeway as far as what you can do with your degree. I rarely spend physical time with my professors outside of class, but I definitely utilized their office hours for minor questions, and emailed them A LOT. I realized how important and useful it is to really ask a question (or 5) to solidify something in your head if you don't understand it completely.
What is the stereotype of students at your school?
Eau Claire is considered one the best Wisco schools behind Madison. It's school where the reciprocity people couldn't get into Madison. Since it is literally off of a high way and the town is of nearly 60,000 people and nothing around there, it is very much considered hick. In a Wisconsin school, all there is to do is party and drink, and no one studies because the classes are too easy and professors are over educated.
The best thing about UWEC is that the professors are very kind and very personal towards all their students and that all your textbooks are rented. Large lectures run only up to 125 students. I think the school of 8000 is too small. If something happens, everyone will end up finding out about it. People spend most of their time on lower campus where all the classrooms are or in higher grounds which is where all the food is where the dorms are. They are very strict on alcohol in the dorms. There are parties after parties on Water street. Many freshmen try to get fakes to get into the bars but about 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time, they realize it's fake and they barely let them in. There are parties every weekend in the sports homes, NEVER in the greek houses, only except if you are greek. There is barely any school pride. I have never gone to a football game, because nearly everyone is drunk or high, and the stadium is like a high school's football field and it is far away. The sports are not very popular at all. I have realized that you can have many groups of friends. I was in a sorority and I went out with both my sisters and the crazy partying girls on my floor, so it all depends on what you make of it.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
82% of students attending University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire receive some sort of financial aid.
22% were awarded federal grants.60%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.