University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point combines broad accessibility with distinctive program excellence, particularly in natural resources where multiple programs rank in the top 5 nationally. Strong affordability performance and above-average mobility outcomes create favorable conditions for economic advancement.
Around the national average, driven by steady earnings outcomes relative to educational investment
With well above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and reasonable debt levels
Around the national average, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to open admission standards
Well above average effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisOpen access with specialized program excellence
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point ranks #410 nationally with composite performance at the 74.9th percentile, demonstrating above-average outcomes. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public university maintains open access with a 90.1% acceptance rate while serving 27.8% Pell-eligible students and 30.6% first-generation students.
The institution demonstrates strong performance in mobility outcomes, ranking at the 85.4th percentile nationally, reflecting its effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations. Graduates earn around the national average despite slightly below-expected earnings relative to student demographics.
The university excels in natural resources programs, with Fishing and Fisheries Sciences ranking #1 nationally and Forest Management ranking #5 nationally. This combination of accessibility, specialized program excellence, and mobility outcomes positions University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as an Opportunity Builders institution, providing broad educational access with meaningful economic advancement potential.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point delivers solid post-graduation earnings with excellent affordability. Graduates earn a median of $52,021 ten years after enrollment, ranking around the national average at the 47th percentile.
While earnings fall slightly below expectations by $2,016, the institution's real strength lies in cost management and accessibility. Median student debt remains reasonable at $21,503, just below the peer median of $21,105, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41.
Students seeking accessible public education with strong outcomes in natural resources, business, and applied sciences. Particularly well-suited for first-generation students (30.6%) and those prioritizing affordability alongside diverse program options in forestry, fisheries management, and emerging fields like bioenergy.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point maintains open admission standards with a 90.1% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive admission offers. This places the institution well within the Open Access category, admitting more than 75% of applicants.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is slightly more accessible than typical public universities of similar size and mission. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's commitment to broad educational access and serving diverse student populations throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
Students should understand that open admission does not guarantee automatic acceptance, but rather indicates that most academically prepared students will gain admission. The university maintains academic standards while prioritizing access for students who demonstrate college readiness.
For prospective students, this accessibility means University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point can serve as a reliable option in college planning, though students should still submit strong applications demonstrating their academic preparation and commitment to higher education. This level of accessibility makes the institution particularly valuable for first-generation college students, students from rural areas, and those seeking quality education without the stress of highly competitive admission processes.
Chemical Engineering, Other.
14 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
23 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
18 graduates
Blood Bank Technology Specialist.
28 graduates
Soil Chemistry and Physics.
25 graduates
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. The institution's natural resources programs demonstrate exceptional national rankings, with Fishing and Fisheries Sciences ranking #1 nationally, graduating 61 students with median earnings of $44,838 and a perfect 100.0 value score.
Bioenergy ranks #2 nationally, graduating 83 students with median earnings of $50,348 and an impressive 93.3 value score. Forest Management ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 69 students with median earnings of $50,461 and an 81.8 value score.
Business Administration represents the largest program, graduating 170 students with median earnings of $53,730, while Applied/Public Sociology ranks #112 nationally with 97 graduates earning $43,997. Adult and Continuing Education ranks #135 nationally with 102 graduates, demonstrating the university's strength in serving non-traditional student populations.
These programs showcase University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's distinctive expertise in environmental sciences and natural resource management alongside traditional academic offerings.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point maintains reasonable costs that support its accessibility mission. The published cost of attendance reaches $18,804 per year, including $8,834 in tuition for Wisconsin residents, $8,500 for room and board, and $250 for books and supplies.
Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $17,854, bringing their total cost to $26,824. However, the average student pays significantly less due to financial aid, with net price averaging $13,726 after aid is applied.
This represents financial aid savings of $5,078 on average, demonstrating meaningful institutional investment in affordability. The net price falls slightly above the peer median of $14,093, indicating costs that align closely with similar public universities.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's cost structure reflects its public mission of providing quality education at accessible prices, with particularly strong support for Wisconsin residents. The relatively modest difference between sticker price and net price indicates that financial aid, while helpful, is not as extensive as at institutions with larger endowments.
However, the controlled tuition levels and reasonable room and board costs create a foundation for manageable educational expenses that support the university's role as an accessible pathway to higher education for Wisconsin families.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early career trajectory. Median earnings rise from $43,371 six years after enrollment to $48,586 at eight years and $52,021 at ten years, representing 19.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 3,125 graduates at six years, 3,351 at eight years, and 3,261 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn slightly below expectations compared to similar students nationally, with earnings falling $2,016 short of predicted outcomes.
However, low-income graduates earn $40,200, demonstrating the institution's ability to support economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Earnings span from $37,608 at the 25th percentile to $69,056 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the diverse program portfolio and career paths available.
Approximately 23.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The earnings trajectory shows consistent upward momentum, with graduates building earning power steadily through their early career years.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tennessee State University Similar quality tier (#403 ranked) | TN | 93% | $42,730 | #403 | Compare |
University Of Michigan-Flint Similar quality tier in Midwest (#406 ranked) | MI | 69% | $53,230 | #406 | Compare |
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Similar quality tier (#408 ranked) | CA | 99% | $47,626 | #408 | Compare |
Western Illinois University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#401 ranked) | IL | 75% | $54,163 | #401 | Compare |
Mcneese State University Similar quality tier (#409 ranked) | LA | 68% | $46,453 | #409 | Compare |