At $12,878/yr net price, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates earn $52,528/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,528/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,878 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $51,512 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,528/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,528/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,742/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,220/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,231/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,838/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,830/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,287 | $15,221 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $19,200 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $53,497 | $23,288 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $48,823 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $44,933 | $20,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,479 | $17,857 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $42,123 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $37,808 | $19,168 |
The Risk Factor
53.1% of students at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay gives you a middling but honest financial return. You pay under $13,000 a year and come out with median debt of $18,500, low enough that most graduates can cover it. But median earnings ten years out sit at $52,528, so this is a modest-cost, modest-payoff school, not a high-return one.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner: graduates earn the most while carrying the lowest debt of any listed program, so you leave with strong earnings and little to repay. Computer science pays nearly as well. Accounting earns less than both and saddles you with the highest debt on this list, so its payoff is weaker than the salary alone suggests. Economics and business administration land in the low $40,000s, barely above the school's median, so a business degree here is a break-even bet unless you specialize.
The main risk is finishing. Only 53% of students graduate, and just 70% return after their first year. If you drop out, you keep the debt without the degree, which flips the math against you. Green Bay's job market rewards the nursing and tech tracks. the softer business majors depend more on what you do after graduation.
This school fits you if you want nursing or computer science at a low sticker price and plan to stay in Wisconsin. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $8,200 to $8,700 a year, one of the better deals in the state system. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $17,800, still reasonable but less of a bargain. Look elsewhere if you want a business or economics degree and expect a strong salary out of the gate, because those numbers here are flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Green Bay worth the cost?
UW-Green Bay offers decent value with a low net price of $12,878 and manageable debt levels around $18,500. However, the 53% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who leave without a degree.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay?
Nursing programs lead with average earnings of $66,287, followed by Computer Science at $61,516. Education and Social Work graduates earn significantly less at $48,823 and $44,933 respectively, which may not justify the investment depending on your debt load.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates have?
The median debt is $18,500, which is reasonable compared to national averages. With 10-year earnings of $52,528, most graduates can manage this debt load, though those in lower-paying fields like Social Work may struggle more.
Does University of Wisconsin-Green Bay have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects vary widely by program, with nursing and computer science graduates seeing strong demand and higher salaries. The school's 89% acceptance rate and 53% graduation rate suggest it's not particularly selective, which can impact employer perception and networking opportunities.