University of Wisconsin-Stout
University of Wisconsin-Stout — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Wisconsin-Stout at a Glance
The University of Wisconsin–Stout Polytechnic is a public university in Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States. The polytechnic university of the University of Wisconsin System, it enrolls more than 6,900 students. The school was founded in 1891 and named in honor of its founder, lumber magnate James Huff Stout.
1891
135 years old
7,061
6,227 undergrad · 834 grad
124 acres
Identity
Is University of Wisconsin-Stout Worth It?
University of Wisconsin-Stout offers moderate value at $17,490/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,084, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% 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.
How University of Wisconsin-Stout compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #52 of 135 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #5 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #52 | University of Wisconsin-Stout | 45 | $17,490 | $58,084 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Wisconsin-Stout'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-Stout
The highest-earning program at University of Wisconsin-Stout is Manufacturing Engineering at $64,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $28,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Manufacturing Engineering graduate from University of Wisconsin-Stout earns $64,100, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $28,000. 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: Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry $23,167 in median debt vs. $22,625 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,490/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering | $64,100 | $64,100 | $23,167 |
| Applied Mathematics | $63,000 | $63,000 | $24,179 |
| Construction Management | $61,700 | $61,700 | $21,417 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $61,200 | $61,200 | $26,125 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $56,700 | $56,700 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,700 | $51,700 | $20,749 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,800 | $45,800 | $22,046 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $42,100 | $42,100 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $40,700 | $40,700 | $24,408 |
| Graphic Communications | $40,100 | $40,100 | $25,337 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $38,700 | $38,700 | $23,500 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $38,400 | $38,400 | $23,251 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,800 | $35,800 | $26,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $33,900 | $33,900 | $27,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,800 | $30,800 | $25,978 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,000 | $29,000 | $25,307 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $28,000 | $28,000 | $22,625 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Menomonie, WI
- Student Body
- 5,842 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,490
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,084
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000