Milwaukee, WI · Private University
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$54,990
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,020
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,020
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$88,080
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.50x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
51.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,177
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates earn $9,990 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ranked by graduate earnings
44 graduates
118 graduates
147 graduates
19 graduates
74 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $81,168) and the lowest (Dance: $25,456) is $55,712/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $81,168 | 3.7x |
| Computer Science | $80,355 | 3.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,520 | 3.5x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $76,982 | 3.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $72,845 | 3.3x |
| Industrial Engineering | $72,308 | 3.3x |
| Mathematics | $71,400 | 3.2x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,297 | 3.2x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $69,806 | 3.2x |
| Materials Engineering(1yr data) | $69,175 | 3.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,918 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $65,831 | 3.0x |
| Information Science/Studies | $63,965 | 2.9x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $59,322 | 2.7x |
| Economics | $59,035 | 2.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $57,876 | 2.6x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $56,583 | 2.6x |
| Marketing | $56,157 | 2.5x |
| Chemistry | $55,756 | 2.5x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $54,465 | 2.5x |
| Architecture | $53,873 | 2.5x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $53,324 | 2.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,033 | 2.4x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $51,655 | 2.4x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $51,056 | 2.3x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $50,472 | 2.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,414 | 2.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,378 | 2.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $49,086 | 2.2x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $48,919 | 2.2x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $48,378 | 2.2x |
| International/Global Studies | $48,024 | 2.2x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $44,921 | 2.0x |
| History | $44,193 | 2.0x |
| Education, General | $44,161 | 2.0x |
| Psychology, General | $44,158 | 2.0x |
| Social Work | $44,016 | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,995 | 2.0x |
| Sociology | $43,554 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,447 | 2.0x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $42,088 | 1.9x |
| Biology, General | $41,925 | 1.9x |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $41,552 | 1.9x |
| Geography and Cartography | $39,104 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $38,936 | 1.8x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $37,636 | 1.7x |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $36,924 | 1.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,911 | 1.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,878 | 1.7x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $36,549 | 1.7x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $34,082 | 1.6x |
| Philosophy | $33,636 | 1.5x |
| Anthropology | $33,035 | 1.5x |
| Music | $31,502 | 1.4x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $30,055 | 1.4x |
| Nutrition Sciences(1yr data) | $30,042 | 1.4x |
| DanceLowest(1yr data) | $25,456 | 1.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $54,990 10 years after starting, $9,990 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.4 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.