First-Year Admission Requirements

Admission factors

Admission to UW-Eau Claire is competitive, and academic factors are primary in the admission review. These factors include course rigor, grade point average, positive grade trends, class rank, and test scores (optional). 

We complete a comprehensive holistic review of each applicant. Additional factors considered may include extracurricular activities, application essay, employment, and community service. 

Academic units required

17 total units are required, with 1 unit equal to 1 year of high school study (or equivalent).

NOTE: Students who begin taking high school coursework prior to high school (e.g., mathematics, foreign language in grade 8) are encouraged to continue rigorous course selection from core areas during grades 9-12. Applicants must present evidence of graduation from a recognized high school or equivalent certificate.

The Wisconsin Guarantee

New first-year applicants for fall 2025 and beyond from Wisconsin may be eligible for guaranteed admission to UW-Eau Claire. Wisconsin residents qualify for this program if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Enrolled in a Wisconsin high school with a class rank in the top 10% upon completion of 11th grade.
• Enrolled in homeschool or virtual private school with an ACT score at or above the 90th percentile (nationally).
• Selected as a National Merit Scholarship finalist.

Students must complete the Universities of Wisconsin application for admission to participate. They also must meet admission requirements outlined by the Board of Regents and demonstrate successful completion of senior year coursework.

Profile of admitted first-year students

The numbers below are based on the middle 50% of admitted students. "Middle 50%" means half of the students we admitted are within the listed range. It also means 25% of the students we admitted fall below the range and 25% placed above.

• ACT: 21-27
• Class rank percentile: 62-88%
• SAT: 1120-1310
• GPA (on 4.0 scale): 3.4-3.9