At $14,785/yr net price, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates earn $55,356/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,356/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,785 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $59,140 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,356/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,356/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,188 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,426/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,003/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,049/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,177/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,142/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $74,874 | $28,446 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,576 | $23,664 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $59,485 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $57,650 | $17,156 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $54,435 | $17,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $53,308 | $21,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $49,563 | $24,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $49,324 | $22,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,327 | $22,125 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $46,254 | $24,747 |
The Risk Factor
64.3% of students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gives you a solid, low-risk return. A net price under $15,000 a year paired with median earnings above $55,000 a decade out means the math works for most students. Median debt of about $23,000 stays below what the typical graduate earns in a single year, which is the line you want to stay under.
The business and tech programs carry the payoff. Computer and Information Sciences and Quality Control both land near $59,500, and Economics graduates earn more than Accounting grads while borrowing several thousand dollars less. If you study economics here, you leave with the lowest debt of any top-earning program and better pay than accounting, making it the strongest value on the list. Human Resources Management sits at the bottom, pairing the lowest earnings with the highest debt of the group, so it's the weakest financial bet among the majors shown.
The main risk is completion. A 64% graduation rate and 78% retention mean a real share of students leave without a degree but still owe money. Debt with no credential is the worst outcome here, so finishing on time matters more than the sticker price.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $8,400 a year. over $110,000, you pay roughly $18,100. That's a meaningful gap, and it makes Whitewater especially affordable if you qualify for the bottom tiers.
This school fits you if you want a business, economics, computer science, or safety-tech degree at a low price and plan to graduate on schedule. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to a lower-paying major and would take on near-average debt to get it, since the return there is thin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater worth the cost?
UW-Whitewater offers reasonable value with a net price of $14,785 and median debt of $23,188, but the 10-year earnings of $55,356 are below national averages. Business majors see much better returns at nearly $75,000, while other programs lag significantly.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater?
Business and computer science graduates earn the most, with business majors averaging $74,874 ten years after graduation. Other programs like economics and accounting fall closer to $55,000, which barely justifies the cost for many students.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates have?
The median debt is $23,188, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, with average earnings of just $55,356, graduates outside top programs may struggle to pay this back quickly.
Does University of Wisconsin-Whitewater have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects vary dramatically by major at UW-Whitewater. Business graduates do well financially, but the 64% graduation rate and modest overall earnings suggest many students don't see strong returns on their investment.