UWRF students head to class on the first day of the 2022-23 academic year. UWRF file photo
 

UW-River Falls named to The Princeton Review's 2024 list of best colleges

High-quality, affordable education and welcoming campus listed as attributes

Aug. 18, 2023 - The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has been named to The Princeton Review’s annual “Best Regional Colleges” list for 2024. 

UW-River Falls is among 630 colleges in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, South, Southwest, West and international regions named to The Princeton Review’s “2024 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list, which was released on August 15. The website lists those colleges as “academically outstanding and worth consideration in your college search.” The Princeton Review is a leading education services company in the U.S. 

UW-River Falls is among 150 colleges on the list in the Midwest region and is one of four in Wisconsin to be chosen for the list. The others in Wisconsin are UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Eau Claire. 

UW-River Falls is also one of only five public institutions among the 24 named to the list in Wisconsin and Minnesota. UWRF has appeared on the list consistently in past years. 

The list is based on feedback from current students about the colleges they attend and their experiences. 
“I’m pleased that UW-River Falls continues to get increased recognition for being an affordable, high-quality institution of learning,” UWRF Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs David Travis said. “It’s most noteworthy that these rankings are heavily based on student perceptions of the quality and affordability of the education they receive.”

According to The Princeton Review website, students said they were attracted to the UWRF campus because of its “quality education at an affordable [price tag].” Students noted many available opportunities such as internships, student teaching and study abroad experiences that help students land jobs once they graduate. 

They also praised the supportive atmosphere among faculty and fellow students who want “to help students achieve success.” Others pointed to the small class sizes that allow students to feel more involved in the classroom as an advantage. 

"They are available often and answer questions in a timely manner which helps ease a lot of stress,” one student said of UW-River Falls professors. “I have had nothing but a great experience so far."

Students said they enjoy the numerous athletic events on campus and many intramural sports team offerings. They spoke favorably about the “great hiking and kayaking areas surrounding River Falls, especially with the state parks nearby.”