University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Wisconsin-Platteville — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Wisconsin-Platteville at a Glance
University of Wisconsin–Platteville is a public university in Platteville, Wisconsin, United States. Part of the University of Wisconsin System, it offers bachelor's and master's degrees across three colleges and enrolls approximately 6,500 students as of 2022.
1866
160 years old
6,486
6,028 undergrad · 458 grad
820 acres
Identity
Is University of Wisconsin-Platteville Worth It?
University of Wisconsin-Platteville offers moderate value at $16,032/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,760, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Wisconsin-Platteville compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #21 of 99 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #5 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #6 | Sonoma State University | 76 | $12,885 | $65,986 |
| #21 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | 56 | $16,032 | $61,760 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Wisconsin-Platteville's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in WI.
Best Programs at University of Wisconsin-Platteville
The highest-earning program at University of Wisconsin-Platteville is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $70,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $27,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Wisconsin-Platteville earns $70,000, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $27,200. 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 $22,750 in median debt vs. $21,824 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,032/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 | $70,000 | $70,000 | $22,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,800 | $63,800 | $24,260 |
| Industrial Engineering | $63,500 | $63,500 | $26,000 |
| Engineering Physics | $61,500 | $61,500 | $27,254 |
| Computer Engineering | $61,300 | $61,300 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $58,800 | $58,800 | $26,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $58,200 | $58,200 | $24,416 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $58,000 | $58,000 | $25,000 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $55,100 | $55,100 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $26,624 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,800 | $40,800 | $23,500 |
| Plant Sciences | $40,700 | $40,700 | $20,179 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,600 | $35,600 | $26,481 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $33,800 | $33,800 | $19,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,700 | $32,700 | $23,250 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other | $31,200 | $31,200 | $24,098 |
| Biology, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $25,360 |
| Psychology, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $21,824 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Platteville, WI
- Student Body
- 5,837 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,032
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,760
- Median Student Debt
- $21,977