“These students are already here, living and learning in our region. If we listen to them – and respond to what they need – we have an incredible opportunity to keep them here as contributors to our economy, our neighborhoods, and our future. This survey helps us all see what matters most to the next generation and how we can work together to create a place where they want to stay.”
-Dave Minor, President/CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), has released the results of it’s 2025 Student Survey on the Chippewa Valley, capturing input from over 575 students at both CVTC and UWEC. This effort aimed to better understand what young people value in a community as they prepare to launch their careers and whether they see the Chippewa Valley as a place to stay long term.
“We conducted this survey because we want our community to better understand the Chamber’s role in helping retain college students as part of our future workforce,” said Dave Minor, President/CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. “These students are already here, living and learning in our region. If we listen to them – and respond to what they need – we have an incredible opportunity to keep them here as contributors to our economy, our neighborhoods, and our future. This survey helps us all see what matters most to the next generation and how we can work together to create a place where they want to stay.”
Key Takeaways:
- Housing Affordability is a Top Concern: The overwhelming majority of students at both institutions named affordable housing as one of the biggest barriers to staying in the region. Students reported feeling priced out of the market, with many citing unsafe and poorly managed housing options and lack of inventory for young professionals.
- Employment Expectations are Evolving: When it comes to choosing a workplace, students rank monetary compensation, career growth, and workplace culture as critical factors. More than half of CVTC students and nearly 70% of UWEC students are open to careers outside their major – demonstrating a desire for flexibility and opportunity in the labor market.
- Students Appreciate the Region’s Natural Beauty and Outdoor Recreation: Students gave high marks to the region’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Many commented positively on the area’s trails, parks, and accessibility to nature indicating that these assets contribute significantly to their quality of life and interest to stay in the region.
- Connectivity to the Community is Weak: While many students see the Chippewa Valley as a place where they could build a future, only about a quarter of the respondents reported feeling connected to the local community. This highlights the need for more intentional engagement through events, volunteerism, and employer-student interaction.
- Transportation & Public Infrastructure Matter: Both campuses cited concerns with public transportation and walkability. Expanded and more frequent bus service, safer pedestrian routes, and improved parking were all common themes.
- Students Want to Stay – If We Can Meet Their Needs: 71% of CVTC students and 34% of UWEC students said they plan to live and work in the Chippewa Valley after graduation, or would return someday. However, this would require a focused investment in the areas they care about most – housing, job access, and a sense of belonging.
“This data provides a powerful roadmap for our region,” said Tina Probst, Director of Workforce & Emerging Talent. “With Eau Claire County projected to grow by over 12% by 2050 – making it one of the fastest-growing counties in Wisconsin – we must act now to create the kind of community that attracts and retains the next generation. These survey results give us a clear direction and chance to make informed changes that will strengthen our local workforce and support sustainable growth.”
The Chamber will be reaching out to local businesses, municipalities, and educational institutions with actionable data and insights specific to their sectors, encouraging them to review the findings and consider how their policies and practices could evolve to meet the current and future workforce challenges. Aligning local decision-making with what young professionals are looking for will be essential to the Chippewa Valley’s continued success – especially as Eau Claire County is one of the few counties in Wisconsin to grow considerably in the coming decades, even as the state’s overall population trends downward.
The full survey findings and results are available WITH AN EASY CLICK HERE.
