At $17,365/yr net price, University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates earn $58,084/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,084/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,365 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $69,460 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,084/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,084/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,499/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,643/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,799/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,803/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,221/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,131 | $25,200 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $64,281 | $20,175 |
| Applied Mathematics. | Bachelor | $64,121 | $20,520 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Bachelor | $63,302 | $27,000 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Bachelor | $61,064 | $22,881 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $58,673 | $23,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,420 | $18,500 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $49,436 | $31,805 |
| Education, General. | Master | $48,432 | $18,087 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,708 | $22,500 |
The Risk Factor
52.5% of students at University of Wisconsin-Stout 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
UW-Stout gives you a solid financial return with low risk. You pay about $17,000 a year net, borrow around $23,000 by graduation, and reach a median salary near $58,000 ten years out. That debt-to-earnings gap is comfortable, and it sits below what many graduates earn in their first years out.
The payoff concentrates in the technical and applied programs. Manufacturing Engineering leads at $65,131, with Construction Management, Applied Mathematics, engineering-related fields, and computer networking all clustered in the low $60,000s. These fit Stout's polytechnic identity and feed directly into Wisconsin and Minnesota manufacturing, construction, and IT employers. Construction Management stands out because you earn over $64,000 while borrowing only about $20,000 , the strongest debt-to-pay ratio of the top programs. Manufacturing Engineering and engineering-related fields pay well but carry higher debt ($25,200 and $27,000), so the math is a bit tighter there.
The main risk here is finishing. Only about half of students graduate, and one in four freshmen doesn't return for a second year. If you leave with debt and no degree, none of the earnings figures apply to you, and that's where this school can hurt your finances.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $10,500 a year. that climbs to roughly $21,000 once income passes $110,000. So the aid meaningfully narrows the gap for you if you're coming from a modest-income household.
Stout is a good financial fit if you want a hands-on technical degree and plan to work regionally in engineering, construction, or IT. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to fields outside its applied strengths, or if you're unsure you'll finish, since the completion odds here are the biggest threat to your return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Stout worth the cost?
UW-Stout offers solid value for specific programs like manufacturing engineering and construction management, which lead to starting salaries around $64,000-65,000. However, the 52% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts the return on investment.
What programs at University of Wisconsin-Stout have the best ROI?
Manufacturing engineering, construction management, and applied mathematics deliver the strongest returns with graduates earning $64,000-65,000 annually. These technical programs justify the $17,365 annual cost better than most other majors at the school.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates typically have?
UW-Stout graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is manageable for engineering and construction graduates earning $64,000+ but could be problematic for lower-paying majors. The debt-to-income ratio works out favorably only for the school's top-earning programs.
Does University of Wisconsin-Stout have good job placement after graduation?
While graduates in technical fields like manufacturing engineering earn competitive salaries around $64,000, the school's 52% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. Job outcomes depend heavily on finishing your degree and choosing a high-demand major.