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 average 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 |
| Average 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), 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 $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.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $22,500, which works out to about $239 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($33,200) and comes to 0.68, 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 | $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. 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 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. Year-four earnings of $56k are in line with regional Wisconsin and Minnesota business markets.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 83 students with $39,475 year-one earnings and $43,561 at year four - minimal growth over four years. 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. 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 | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 61.3% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.6% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.8% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Wisconsin-Superior’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 | 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. 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 ROI score is 45. The 41.9% completion rate is the defining weakness.
| 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. 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. 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 41.9% graduation rate, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 (median across the schools we score: 0.61), a three-year loan repayment rate of 68.8% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%), a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,500 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $33,200 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
University of Wisconsin-Superior: Common Questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Superior worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. University of Wisconsin-Superior scores 45/100 on our ROI scale. At $12,220 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $49,606 ten years after entry, so it takes about 12.9 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-Superior 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 $12,220 a year, or roughly $48,880 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-Superior graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $49,606 ten years after enrolling, roughly $7,806 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-Superior?
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 12.9 years for University of Wisconsin-Superior. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Superior graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $22,500, against average earnings of $33,200 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-Superior?
The six-year graduation rate is 41.9%. 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.