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Head-to-head comparison

University of Wisconsin-River Falls vs Saint Norbert College: which has better ROI?

Public, River Falls WI · vs · Private nonprofit, De Pere WI

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

Option A River Falls, WI

University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Net price / year
$14,054
Earnings, 10 years
$54,458
Payback
9.2 yrs

Option B De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College

Net price / year
$26,172
Earnings, 10 years
$58,363
Payback
10.5 yrs
The verdict

University of Wisconsin-River Falls has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $56,216 in 9.2 years versus 10.5 years at Saint Norbert College, on median earnings of $54,458 vs $58,363 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Wisconsin-River FallsSaint Norbert College
Net price / yr$14,054$26,172
Total net cost$56,216$104,688
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,458$58,363
Median debt$20,500$26,731
Payback9.2 yrs10.5 yrs
20-year net return$65,744$95,372

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-River Falls or Saint Norbert College?

University of Wisconsin-River Falls, at $14,054 a year after aid versus $26,172 — a gap of $12,118 a year, or $48,472 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-River Falls or Saint Norbert College graduates earn more?

Saint Norbert College graduates report a median $58,363 ten years after entry, $3,905 more than the $54,458 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. 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-River Falls or Saint Norbert College?

University of Wisconsin-River Falls: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $26,731 at Saint Norbert College, a difference of $6,231. 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?

71% of students finish at Saint Norbert College, against 57% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. 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-River Falls vs Saint Norbert College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls or Saint Norbert College a better value?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls. It clears its $56,216 net cost in about 9.2 years versus 10.5 years at Saint Norbert College, on median earnings of $54,458 vs $58,363 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-River Falls or Saint Norbert College?
University of Wisconsin-River Falls: $14,054/yr net price after aid versus $26,172/yr at Saint Norbert College — a difference of $12,118 a year, or about $48,472 over four years.
Do University of Wisconsin-River Falls or Saint Norbert College graduates earn more?
Saint Norbert College graduates earn a median $58,363 ten years after entry, versus $54,458 at University of Wisconsin-River Falls — a $3,905 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.