Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire vs University of Wisconsin-Stout: which has better ROI?

Public, Eau Claire WI · vs · Public, Menomonie WI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 Menomonie, WI

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Net price / year
$17,490
Earnings, 10 years
$58,084
Payback
7.2 yrs
The verdict

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,200 in 6.5 years versus 7.2 years at University of Wisconsin-Stout, on median earnings of $58,561 vs $58,084 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Stout
Net price / yr$16,550$17,490
Total net cost$66,200$69,960
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,561$58,084
Median debt$20,909$23,000
Payback6.5 yrs7.2 yrs
20-year net return$137,820$124,520

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 University of Wisconsin-Stout?

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, at $16,550 a year after aid versus $17,490 — a gap of $940 a year, or $3,760 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 University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates earn more?

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates report a median $58,561 ten years after entry, $477 more than the $58,084 at University of Wisconsin-Stout. 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 University of Wisconsin-Stout?

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: its completers carry a median $20,909 in federal loans versus $23,000 at University of Wisconsin-Stout, a difference of $2,091. 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 55% at University of Wisconsin-Stout. 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.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire vs University of Wisconsin-Stout: frequently asked questions

Is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or University of Wisconsin-Stout a better value?
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. It clears its $66,200 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 7.2 years at University of Wisconsin-Stout, on median earnings of $58,561 vs $58,084 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or University of Wisconsin-Stout?
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: $16,550/yr net price after aid versus $17,490/yr at University of Wisconsin-Stout — a difference of $940 a year, or about $3,760 over four years.
Do University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates earn a median $58,561 ten years after entry, versus $58,084 at University of Wisconsin-Stout — a $477 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.