University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire College Portrait
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire105 Garfield Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54702
(715) 836-5415
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, preparing its 11,000 students to excel now and in the future. Our vast international and service programs help students think globally while serving their local communities. Our distinct academic programs and many opportunities to conduct meaningful research with faculty prepare students to succeed in the workplace or graduate school.
Often described as Wisconsin's most beautiful campus, UW-Eau Claire sits along the Chippewa River in the heart of Eau Claire, western Wisconsin's largest city. The campus and region offer everything from world-class entertainment to beautiful bike trails. With strong academics and a vibrant student life, our students enjoy an exceptional college experience.
Living in the Blugolds Community
UW-Eau Claire's bright and ambitious students learn from talented professors who have a passion for teaching. Students are active on and off campus through their involvement in campus and community organizations, service projects,study abroad programs, and internships. Our students successfully compete for prestigious awards and scholarships, many of which allow them to study in other parts of the country or world.
Our professors love to teach, but also are active scholars. They routinely include students in their research, providing undergraduates with experiences often available only to graduate students at large institutions. With faculty serving as mentors and research partners, students develop connections and expertise that give them an edge when applying for graduate schools or jobs. UW-Eau Claire alumni are community and workplace leaders who have a long tradition of making meaningful contributions to their professions and their communities. They also regularly give back to UW-Eau Claire, helping to ensure that future generations can have exceptional living and learning experiences at their alma mater.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2011?
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| Total Students | 11,233 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 10,578 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 6,174 | 58% |
| Men | 4,404 | 42% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 42 | <1% |
| Asian | 336 | 3% |
| African American / Black | 68 | 1% |
| Hispanic | 173 | 2% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 5 | <1% |
| White | 9,500 | 90% |
| Two or More Races | 119 | 1% |
| International | 247 | 2% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 88 | 1% |
| Where do UWEC undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 75% |
| Other US States & Territories | 23% |
| Other Countries | 2% |
| How old are UWEC undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 18 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 8% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2011)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 22 - 26 | |
| Math | 22 - 26 | 510 - 660 |
| English | 21 - 27 | |
| Critical Reading | 510 - 670 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 54% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 98% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 82% | |
| Average High School GPA Data Not Available | ||
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $17,335.00
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 38% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $5,514.00. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 50% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $5,077.00. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
UWEC Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 22 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 58% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 89% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 425 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 47% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 13% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 78% |
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Campus-based Housing
92% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
38% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
UW-Eau Claire takes seriously the safety of its campus community. University Police and others regularly provide information to students, faculty, and staff that promote safety and crime prevention. Campus police officers actively patrol the campus and work closely with other law enforcement agencies in the region and state. UW-Eau Claire has a comprehensive crisis communication plan in place to ensure critical information is shared quickly with the campus community should there be an emergency.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs)
- Size and Setting
- Medium four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- Very high undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, more selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Postbaccalaureate comprehensive
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
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Student Activities and Involvement at UWEC
Research shows students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. UW - Eau Claire offers students a variety of opportunities inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people and experiences. UW - Eau Claire measures the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs our students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 97% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 58% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 27% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 88% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 25% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 54% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 79% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 24% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 97% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 98% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 72% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 63% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 94% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 53% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 84% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 97% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 70% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 70% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 90% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 31% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 86% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 90% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 88% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Associate's | 7 |
| Bachelor's | 2,020 |
| Master's | 171 |
| Total | 2,198 |
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| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | 5% |
| Psychology, General | 5% |
| Biology, General | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire |
|---|
Associate'sBachelor'sMaster's |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 92% four-year success and progress rate means that 92% of students starting in Fall 2005 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2005 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 2,063 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 464 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2010 that returned for their second year: 84%
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Student Learning at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
UW-Eau Claire has assessed student achievement in reading, written communication, and math since 1995. The findings from these assessments indicate how well the University is doing in terms of helping students achieve these skills.
UW-Eau Claire has used the test for Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency since 1995. Given to rising juniors, this test is linked to a student’s performance on the ACT exam which is typically taken in the senior year of high school. Linking these two tests indicates the degree to which UW-Eau Claire students have met or exceeded the expected gains in these areas. Additionally, the test is given nationwide.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
Results from the College Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)
The Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) measures critical thinking and written communication using two test modules -- critical thinking and a writing essay. The critical thinking and writing scores are reported separately below.
Test Administration Process
Test Information
Critical Thinking Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 63
Senior Score: 65
CAAP score range: 40 to 80
Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 24
Senior Score: 24
Writing Essay Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 3
Senior Score: 4
CAAP score range: 1 to 6
Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 24
Senior Score: 25