University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin · Public · 85.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 64/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
UW-Whitewater earns a 64 (Fair Value) - a middling score for a Wisconsin public regional university. Median 6-year earnings of $37,500, a 9.7-year payback period, and a 58.9% completion rate define the profile. The business school is the institutional anchor: Accounting (76 graduates, $61,926 year-one, B+ grade), Finance (198 graduates, $55,874 year-one, C+ grade), and Business Administration (175 graduates, $55,477 year-one, B grade) produce outcomes well above the school's median. The arts programs drag the average: Drama/Theatre (5 graduates) has a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.22 and an F grade; Fine and Studio Arts (25 graduates) ratio of 0.967. The in-state tuition of $8,616 and net price of $14,158 are low enough that even C-grade programs remain financially survivable if students complete. The 58.9% completion rate is the most significant risk flag - over 40% of students do not earn a degree. Median debt of $23,188 against $37,500 median earnings produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.618, which is higher than ideal.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,616/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,716/yr |
| Average net price | $14,158/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $56,632 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,356 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,188 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 58.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,405 |
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: $8,616/year ($18,716/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 $14,158/year, or roughly $56,632 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 $8,440/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,229/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $23,188 in federal loans, which works out to about $246 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $55,356 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.62, 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 | $8,440 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,752 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,176 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,551 |
| $110,001+ | $18,229 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $8,440 net price per year - about $33,760 over four years. At this cost, the business school programs produce strong returns. The 58.9% completion rate is the chief concern for low-income students who may not have the support structures to persist. Students who complete accounting or finance programs at this cost level are in a favorable financial position.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $11,176 per year; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $16,551. These remain affordable for a Wisconsin regional public. Middle-income families will find the business programs represent solid value. Arts and social science programs at these prices produce weaker but still manageable outcomes given the low total cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $18,229 net price per year - about $72,916 over four years. At a 9.7-year payback period, the financial case is adequate for business graduates but thin for arts and humanities students. High-income families choosing Whitewater primarily for the business school connection will find the price-to-outcome ratio reasonable.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $72,928 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $46,637 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,415 | B |
| Marketing | $67,317 | C+ |
| Psychology | $52,284 | C |
| Business Administration and Management | $68,873 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,152 | C |
| Accounting | $78,762 | B+ |
| Biology | $58,118 | D |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $50,827 | 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.
Accounting
Accounting (76 graduates) earns $61,926 year-one and $78,762 year-four with a B+ ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.347). Median debt of $21,500 against year-one earnings above $60,000 is a clean financial position. Whitewater accounting graduates supply a significant portion of entry-level accounting and audit positions in Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago. The CPA pipeline from this program is well-established with regional public accounting firms.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (198 graduates) earns $55,874 year-one and $72,928 year-four with a C+ ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.456). Median debt of $25,469 is elevated relative to year-one earnings, pulling the grade below B. The program is large and well-connected to Midwest financial services employers, but the debt-to-earnings ratio reflects that Whitewater finance graduates enter the market at lower starting salaries than graduates from more selective programs.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (175 graduates) earns $55,477 year-one and $73,415 year-four with a B ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.443). The program is generalist and primarily serves students who want regional business employment. Year-one earnings in the mid-$50s reflect solid entry-level placement in Wisconsin and Illinois. Median debt of $24,564 is moderate but not alarming at these earnings levels.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (47 graduates) earns $52,995 year-one and $79,799 year-four with a C+ ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.486). Year-one earnings are below what CS graduates command at research universities, but the four-year trajectory is solid. Median debt of $25,742 is relatively high for this program. Students who complete will likely find adequate employment in regional IT roles, but those targeting national tech employers would benefit from a more selective CS program.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 76.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 80.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 72.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 78.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’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 | 85.7% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-24 |
| Enrollment | 9,405 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 25.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,017 |
With an 85.7% admission rate and ACT mid-range of 17-24, UW-Whitewater is accessible. The Scorecard does not report SAT ranges. Net price ranges from $8,440 (lowest income bracket) to $18,229 (highest) - a reasonable cost structure for a four-year degree from a business-focused regional public. Low-income students who target the business or accounting programs can expect strong returns relative to their investment.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UW-Whitewater's peer group includes UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, Louisiana Tech, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Southern Illinois-Carbondale. Among UW system campuses, Whitewater occupies a mid-tier position. UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire tend to score higher on ROI due to better completion rates and broader program strength. Whitewater's business school focus differentiates it from most UW regional campuses, which are more generalist. For business-focused students from southeastern Wisconsin, Whitewater is a defensible choice; for others, comparing to UW-Eau Claire is worthwhile.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (this school) | 64 | $14,158 | $55,356 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 72 | $16,550 | $58,561 |
| Louisiana Tech University | 64 | $11,864 | $52,279 |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | 64 | $13,441 | $53,909 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | 61 | $13,369 | $52,528 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 60 | $13,297 | $53,390 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See University of Wisconsin-Whitewater side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
UW-Whitewater admits 85.7% of applicants; SAT data is not reported but ACT mid-range is 17-24 - below the Wisconsin state average. Enrollment of 9,405 makes it a mid-sized regional campus primarily serving southeastern Wisconsin. Pell rate of 25.2% reflects a mixed-income student body. The business school has a strong regional reputation among Wisconsin employers. Students targeting accounting, finance, or business administration from Wisconsin will find Whitewater's employment connections to Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago-area employers useful. Students in arts, social sciences, or education will see weaker returns.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $14,158 a year after aid ($56,632 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $55,356 a decade out, the cost takes about 9.7 years to earn back. That's roughly average - not a bargain, not a mistake.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates.
Median debt of $23,188 against $55,356 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.