University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at a Glance
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is a public urban research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It is the largest university in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and one of two doctorate-granting research universities in the University of Wisconsin System. As of 2023, UW–Milwaukee had an enrollment of about 23,000 students, including 18,500 undergraduates and 4,500 postgraduates.
1956
70 years old
$323M
$323 million (2023)
22,937
18,445 undergrad · 4,492 grad
684
104 acres
Identity
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Worth It?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers moderate value at $15,014/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,990, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #69 of 117 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #69 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | 46 | $15,014 | $54,990 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in WI.
Best Programs at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The highest-earning program at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $67,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earns $67,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $30,225 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,014/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,800 | $67,800 | $30,225 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,400 | $64,400 | $26,514 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,400 | $59,400 | $24,708 |
| Civil Engineering | $54,500 | $54,500 | $23,825 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $54,000 | $54,000 | $26,189 |
| Mathematics | $52,700 | $52,700 | $23,476 |
| Computer Science | $51,500 | $51,500 | $26,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $50,800 | $50,800 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,300 | $49,300 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $47,500 | $47,500 | $24,638 |
| Information Science/Studies | $46,200 | $46,200 | $25,000 |
| Economics | $43,200 | $43,200 | $24,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,000 | $43,000 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $42,600 | $42,600 | $27,000 |
| International Business | $42,100 | $42,100 | N/A |
| Marketing | $40,000 | $40,000 | $26,000 |
| Architecture | $39,300 | $39,300 | $23,687 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,500 | $38,500 | $28,817 |
| Education, General | $37,500 | $37,500 | $29,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $36,900 | $36,900 | $27,000 |
| Chemistry | $36,600 | $36,600 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,500 | $36,500 | $23,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $36,200 | $36,200 | $28,850 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $33,900 | $33,900 | $30,538 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,700 | $32,700 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,000 |
| History | $31,300 | $31,300 | $26,704 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,626 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $30,600 | $30,600 | $25,392 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,500 | $30,500 | $25,750 |
| International/Global Studies | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,611 |
| Sociology | $29,600 | $29,600 | $26,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $28,900 | $28,900 | N/A |
| Geography and Cartography | $28,900 | $28,900 | $31,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $28,800 | $28,800 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $24,094 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,500 | $28,500 | $24,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,300 | $28,300 | $26,187 |
| Biology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $23,899 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,800 | $26,800 | $26,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $26,600 | $26,600 | $26,000 |
| Anthropology | $25,800 | $25,800 | $22,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,300 | $25,300 | $27,000 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $22,700 | $22,700 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $20,300 | $20,300 | $26,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,400 | $17,400 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
- Student Body
- 16,758 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,014
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,990
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000