MOVING UP. UW-Eau Claire jumps 153 spots up on Forbes' annual ranking of the nation's top colleges, landing at 259th of 500 schools. (Photo via Facebook)

Forbes’ annual list ranking America’s Top Colleges is determined based on about 14 metrics – including alumni salaries, graduation rate and retention, and student debt – and while Princeton University once again snagged the no. 1 spot, UW-Eau Claire made a major move up this year: 153 spots up, to be exact.

UW-Eau Claire rose from 412th in the 2023-24 ranking to 259th this year. Specifically in Wisconsin, the university only ranked behind UW-Madison in public state schools. 

Across both Wisconsin and Minnesota, UW-Eau Claire was the top regional comprehensive university based on academic success, retention rate, graduation rate, alumni salary, debt, and return on investment. Forbes also ranked UW-Eau Claire 48th in the Midwest and 122nd among all public universities in the nation.

“From an investment perspective, our place in the rankings indicates UWEC as a brilliant choice; our students graduate in a timely manner, with low debt and outstanding earning potential as alumni.”

BILLY FELZ

VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

According to a recent media release from UW-Eau Claire, this year’s ranking was bolstered by third-year chemistry major Devin Sobottka, who received the Goldwater Scholarship, a national award given to students who plan to pursue research careers in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

It also noted the success of alumnus as part of the ranking’s metrics, and for UW-Eau Claire, that is perhaps best reflected in alumnus John Menard, who is on the Forbes list of the world’s wealthiest people.

“From an investment perspective, our place in the rankings indicates UWEC as a brilliant choice; our students graduate in a timely manner, with low debt and outstanding earning potential as alumni,” said Billy Fell, vice chancellor for enrollment management.

Forbes’ ranked the top five colleges in Wisconsin as follows: UW-Madison; Marquette University; UW-Eau Claire; Milwaukee School of Engineering; and UW-Platteville.

View Forbes' full ranking of America's Top Colleges online • Read UW-Eau Claire's recent media release about its ranking online