Head-to-head comparison
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire vs Chippewa Valley Technical College: which has better ROI?
Option A Eau Claire, WI
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Net price / year
- $16,550
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,561
- Payback
- 6.5 yrs
Option B Eau Claire, WI
Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Net price / year
- $12,285
- Earnings, 10 years
- $46,297
- Payback
- No payback
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,200 in 6.5 years versus not at all at Chippewa Valley Technical College, on median earnings of $58,561 vs $46,297 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Chippewa Valley Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,550 | $12,285 |
| Total net cost | $66,200 | $49,140 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,561 | $46,297 |
| Median debt | $20,909 | $11,432 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $137,820 | -$90,400 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or Chippewa Valley Technical College?
Chippewa Valley Technical College, at $12,285 a year after aid versus $16,550 — a gap of $4,265 a year, or $17,060 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates report a median $58,561 ten years after entry, $12,264 more than the $46,297 at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or Chippewa Valley Technical College?
Chippewa Valley Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,432 in federal loans versus $20,909 at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a difference of $9,477. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, against 50% at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.