University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha, Wisconsin · Public · 75.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 51/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
UW-Parkside scores 51 (Below Average Value). The 40.4% completion rate is the primary driver of the poor score - fewer than half of entering students earn a degree. Average 6-year earnings of $32,900 and an 11.6-year payback period compound the problem. Net price of $11,772 and in-state tuition of $8,270 are low, which is why the school doesn't score worse. Computer Science ($64,354 year-one, B grade) and Health Professions Residency Programs ($67,130 four-year, B+ grade) are the strongest programs. Drama/Theatre Arts (19 graduates) carries an F grade with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.067. Psychology (87 graduates) earns $29,952 year-one and carries a D grade. The repayment rate of 66.3% at year three suggests that a third of borrowers are not making progress on their loans. UW-Parkside serves the Kenosha-Racine corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago - a labor market with real opportunities - but the institution's 40.4% completion rate indicates significant structural challenges in student retention and support.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,270/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $17,429/yr |
| Average net price | $11,772/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $47,088 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,129 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,492 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 40.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,844 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $8,270/year ($17,429/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $11,772/year, or roughly $47,088 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $7,425/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $17,917/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $20,492, which works out to about $217 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($32,900) and comes to 0.62, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,425 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,592 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,241 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,071 |
| $110,001+ | $17,917 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $7,425 net price per year - about $29,700 over four years. At $32,900 average 6-year earnings and 11.6-year payback, the financial case is weak even at this low cost. The 40.4% completion rate is the core problem - students who don't finish carry debt without credentials. At $7,425 per year, that debt is modest, but the credential gap is permanent.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $11,241 per year; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $15,071. These prices are low but the completion rate concern applies across all income brackets. Middle-income families choosing Parkside for specific IT or accounting programs will find defensible outcomes. General business and social science students face weak returns.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $17,917 per year. The financial metrics at this price are adequate for IT and accounting but weak overall.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Wisconsin-Parkside with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $46,647 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,156 | C+ |
| Health Professions, Residency Programs | $67,130 | B+ |
| Biology | $60,928 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,923 | D |
| Accounting | $64,177 | B+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $55,240 | D |
| Marketing | $62,014 | C+ |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $37,110 | F |
| English Language and Literature | $34,689 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science earns $64,354 year-one and $89,495 year-four with a B ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.407). The Scorecard does not report graduate counts for this program. Year-one earnings are strong for a regional public and reflect the Chicago-Milwaukee IT labor market. Median debt of $26,189 is elevated. Computer Science is the strongest financial program at Parkside and likely the best case for enrollment at this institution.
Accounting
Accounting (28 graduates) earns $47,648 year-one and $64,177 year-four with a B+ ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.310). Median debt of $14,760 is low, producing a clean debt ratio. Year-one earnings of $47,648 reflect entry-level accounting placement in the Kenosha-Milwaukee market. The B+ grade is UW-Parkside's second-strongest ROI outcome by grade.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (50 graduates) earns $42,342 year-one and $54,156 year-four with a C+ ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.490). Median debt of $20,745 is moderate. Year-one earnings of $42,342 reflect law enforcement and corrections entry-level placement in the southeastern Wisconsin region. The C+ grade means the return is adequate but not strong - students who complete face manageable debt service.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 58.8% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.3% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 62.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 75.4% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-25 |
| Enrollment | 2,844 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,388 |
A 75.4% admission rate and ACT 17-25 mid-range confirm this is an accessible institution. Net price ranges from $7,425 (lowest bracket) to $17,917 (highest) - low and appropriate for the market it serves. Despite the low price, the 40.4% completion rate means many students take on debt without earning credentials. The low-income net price of $7,425 is reasonable, but the low completion rate suggests that retention challenges affect all income groups.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside (this school) | 51 | $11,772 | $51,129 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 72 | $16,550 | $58,561 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | 64 | $14,158 | $55,356 |
| SUNY at Fredonia | 51 | $15,897 | $54,247 |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University | 48 | $8,039 | $45,079 |
| Wayne State College | 46 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
Who Thrives Here
UW-Parkside admits 75.4% of applicants; SAT data is not reported, ACT mid-range is 17-25. It has 2,844 students. Pell rate of 35% reflects a predominantly first-generation and lower-income student body. Students who need flexible scheduling, regional affordability, and vocational focus in IT, health, or business may find Parkside adequate, but the completion rate is a serious signal about institutional effectiveness.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of Wisconsin-Parkside is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $11,772 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $51,129 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 11.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 40.4% graduation rate, a three-year loan repayment rate of 66.3% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%).
Median debt of $20,492 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $32,900 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside: Common Questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Parkside worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. University of Wisconsin-Parkside scores 51/100 on our ROI scale. At $11,772 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $51,129 ten years after entry, so it takes about 11.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does University of Wisconsin-Parkside cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $11,772 a year, or roughly $47,088 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $51,129 ten years after enrolling, roughly $9,329 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off University of Wisconsin-Parkside?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 11.6 years for University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $20,492, against average earnings of $32,900 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-Parkside?
The six-year graduation rate is 40.4%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.