University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at a Glance
The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is a public university in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States. Established in 1894, it is part of the University of Wisconsin System. UW-Stevens Point grants associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees, as well as doctoral degrees in audiology, educational sustainability, and physical therapy. The 406-acre (164 ha) main campus includes the 280-acre (113 ha) Schmeeckle Reserve, 15 academic buildings, and 13 residence halls. UWSP also has two branch…
1894
132 years old
8,251
450
406 acres
Identity
Is University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Worth It?
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point offers moderate value at $14,559/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $52,021, which is 3% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. 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 53% 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 92% 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-Stevens Point compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #49 of 164 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #49 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | 48 | $14,559 | $52,021 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in WI.
Best Programs at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
The highest-earning program at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at $51,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduate from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point earns $51,100, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,700. 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: Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,559/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $51,100 | $51,100 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $49,700 | $49,700 | $23,786 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $47,300 | $47,300 | $22,750 |
| Soil Sciences | $46,000 | $46,000 | $24,100 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $43,200 | $43,200 | $24,236 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,900 | $38,900 | $20,787 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,700 | $38,700 | $22,962 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,500 | $37,500 | $23,345 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $35,800 | $35,800 | $23,333 |
| Forestry | $35,200 | $35,200 | $22,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $32,900 | $32,900 | $20,181 |
| Sociology | $32,400 | $32,400 | $22,436 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $32,100 | $32,100 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $30,400 | $30,400 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,400 | $30,400 | $22,642 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $21,279 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | $29,500 | $29,500 | $23,925 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,200 | $29,200 | $21,672 |
| Psychology, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $21,667 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,800 | $26,800 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $24,250 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $25,100 | $25,100 | $24,791 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,700 | $22,700 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Stevens Point, WI
- Student Body
- 7,306 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,559
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,021
- Median Student Debt
- $21,503