University of Wisconsin-Superior
Superior, Wisconsin · Public · 93.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 45/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
University of Wisconsin-Superior scores 45 (Below Average Value), a result shaped by a deeply weak completion rate of 41.9% and a 12.9-year payback period. Fewer than half of students who enroll graduate within 6 years, and median 6-year earnings of $33,200 are low relative to the $12,220 net price. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.678 reflects $22,500 median debt against modest earnings - a constrained repayment situation. The school is a small (1,807 students) regional public university in northern Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior; its geography and size limit both its applicant pool and its employer connections.
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,812/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $16,726/yr |
| Average net price | $12,220/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $48,880 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,606 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $239 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 41.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,807 |
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: $8,812/year ($16,726/year out-of-state). Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $12,220/year, or roughly $48,880 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 $9,679/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $17,859/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $22,500 in federal loans, which works out to about $239 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $49,606 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.68, within the range advisors call workable but worth keeping an eye on.
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 | $9,679 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,178 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,710 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,728 |
| $110,001+ | $17,859 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The lowest income bracket (0-$30,000) pays $9,679 per year at UW-Superior. While the absolute cost is low for a public institution, the 41.9% completion rate and $22,500 median debt create real risk for low-income students who don't finish. A student who enrolls, borrows, and leaves without a degree faces debt with no earnings uplift.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families in the $48,001-75,000 range pay $9,710 per year - nearly identical to the lowest bracket, suggesting aid packaging is relatively flat at UW-Superior. The $75,001-110,000 bracket jumps to $13,728. At these prices the 12.9-year payback period is more tolerable than at a higher-cost institution, but still a slow return.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $17,859 per year. For a higher-income family, the low cost is the primary appeal of UW-Superior. The school does not offer a prestige premium or exceptional earnings outcome; it offers proximity, affordability, and a small-campus environment for students who want to stay in the region.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Wisconsin-Superior with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $43,561 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $56,863 | C+ |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $50,950 | D |
| Psychology | $44,116 | C |
| Social Work | $54,195 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,014 | C |
| Biology | $44,617 | D |
| Accounting | $60,644 | - |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $50,144 | - |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,167 | C |
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.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the highest-volume program at 68 graduates with $45,999 year-one earnings and $56,863 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.525 (ROI grade C+) reflects median debt of $24,158 - high relative to a low-cost public school, suggesting significant borrowing beyond in-state tuition. Year-four earnings of $56k are in line with regional Wisconsin and Minnesota business markets but do not reflect a premium education outcome.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 83 students with $39,475 year-one earnings and $43,561 at year four - minimal growth over four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.830 (ROI grade D) is severe: median debt of $32,774 against Wisconsin K-12 teacher salaries produces a financial squeeze. The heavy debt relative to earnings at this institution likely reflects students borrowing more than necessary for a low-cost public school, or extended enrollment timelines that accumulate debt. Teacher education at UW-Superior is a financially difficult choice.
Social Work
Social Work graduates 31 students with $42,487 year-one earnings and $54,195 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.686 (ROI grade C) reflects median debt of $29,166 - disproportionately high for a social work program at a low-cost public university. Year-four earnings near $54k represent the middle of the social work salary range in Wisconsin. The mismatch between debt and social work compensation is a recurring problem across the sector; students should limit borrowing aggressively.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 33 students with $38,262 year-one earnings and $44,116 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.649 (ROI grade C) reflects median debt of $24,833. Limited career trajectory through year four ($44k) suggests most psychology graduates are not entering high-demand applied roles; the modest earnings and significant debt load make this one of the weaker ROI choices at the school.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 61.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Wisconsin-Superior’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2023).
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 | 93.0% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-24 |
| Enrollment | 1,807 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 30.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,266 |
At 93% acceptance, UW-Superior is effectively open access for most applicants with a high school diploma. The ACT 18-24 range describes a below-average to average academic preparation level. Admission is rarely the obstacle here; retention and graduation are the primary challenges.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UW-Superior's peers include UW-Whitewater, UW-Eau Claire, Mississippi University for Women, Lake Superior State University, and Chadron State College. At ROI score 45, UW-Superior sits near the bottom of the UW System campuses on financial return metrics. The 41.9% completion rate is the defining weakness; UW-Whitewater and UW-Eau Claire both perform considerably better on persistence outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Superior (this school) | 45 | $12,220 | $49,606 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 72 | $16,550 | $58,561 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | 64 | $14,158 | $55,356 |
| Chadron State College | 50 | $12,549 | $47,002 |
| Mississippi University for Women | 47 | $12,411 | $46,128 |
| Lake Superior State University | 46 | $12,822 | $49,045 |
Who Thrives Here
UW-Superior admits 93% of applicants, making it one of the least selective institutions in the UW System. ACT composite range of 18-24 reflects a broad academic preparation spectrum. With 30.8% Pell grant recipients, the school serves a mix of working-class and middle-income families from the northern Wisconsin and Minnesota border region. Students who thrive here are typically locally rooted, drawn to the outdoors-adjacent campus culture, and pursuing practical careers in business, education, or public safety. The 41.9% completion rate is a serious warning: students who struggle with persistence risk debt without a degree.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of Wisconsin-Superior is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $12,220 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $49,606 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 12.9 years to earn the cost back - slower than most four-year schools. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 41.9% graduation rate, high debt relative to what graduates earn, concerning loan repayment rates, a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,500 against $49,606 in earnings is reasonable, though your major matters a lot here. Graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
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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.