UW-Stout combines accessible 84.7% admission with surprisingly strong outcomes in technical fields. As an Opportunity Builder, the university serves diverse students with programs that deliver earnings $7,968 above peer institutions, particularly excelling in emerging fields like cloud computing and engineering technologies.
Also above average, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, indicating controlled costs relative to institutional outcomes
Around the national average, showing typical enrollment patterns for Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Technical programs with national rankings
University of Wisconsin-Stout ranks #496 nationally, placing it in the 69.6th percentile with above average performance across institutional measures. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public university maintains open access admission with an 84.7% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
UW-Stout enrolls 22.7% Pell-eligible students and 27.8% first-generation students, reflecting access levels around the national average for similar institutions. Graduates earn $1,515 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 61.8th percentile nationally for this measure.
Median earnings reach $58,084 ten years after enrollment, placing the university at the 66th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. Despite open admission policies, UW-Stout demonstrates strong test score performance with SAT scores at the 92nd percentile and ACT scores at the 91st percentile nationally.
This combination positions the university as an Opportunity Builder, where accessible admission standards combine with solid career preparation to serve diverse student populations.
UW-Stout combines accessible admission with strong return on investment, particularly in technical fields. Graduates earn a median of $58,084 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 66th percentile nationally and $7,968 above the peer median of $50,116.
Earnings range from $40,531 at the 25th percentile to $80,699 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the university's diverse program portfolio from liberal arts to high-earning technical specialties. The institution generates $1,515 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 61.8th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking hands-on technical programs with strong career outcomes, particularly in engineering technology, computer graphics, and construction management. Well-suited for first-generation students (27.8%) and those prioritizing practical skills over traditional academic prestige, with accessible 84.7% admission rates but surprisingly strong graduate earnings.
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.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Wisconsin-Stout hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-wisconsin-stout/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Wisconsin-Stout's published cost of attendance is $21,618 per year, including $10,142 in-state tuition, $18,706 out-of-state tuition, $8,718 for room and board, and $488 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $17,365 after financial aid, representing $4,253 in average savings from sticker price.
This net price of $17,365 exceeds the peer median of $14,093 by $3,272, indicating UW-Stout costs more than typical similar institutions. The higher cost reflects Wisconsin's public university pricing structure and the specialized nature of many technical programs requiring equipment and facilities investments.
Financial aid targeting helps moderate costs for lower-income students, though middle and upper-income families face higher net prices. Students should plan for above-peer costs but can expect solid return on investment through strong career outcomes, particularly in technical fields where graduates earn substantially above peer institution levels.
UW-Stout graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $50,251 six years after enrollment to $54,486 at eight years and $58,084 at ten years, representing 15.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 2,927 graduates at six years, 3,086 at eight years, and 3,286 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $1,515 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UW-Stout in the 61.8th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $44,700, demonstrating the university's ability to support upward mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $40,531 at the 25th percentile to $80,699 at the 75th percentile, a 2:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 26.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry. Compared to peer institutions, UW-Stout graduates earn $7,968 more annually, highlighting the university's effectiveness in career preparation.
University of Wisconsin-Stout maintains open access admission standards with an 84.7% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive offers of admission. This places UW-Stout among institutions with Open Access admission policies, defined as accepting more than 75% of applicants.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates UW-Stout's selectivity aligns closely with similar public institutions. Despite accessible admission standards, the university attracts academically prepared students, as evidenced by strong test score performance among enrolled students.
This level of accessibility means that most students with basic college preparation can gain admission to UW-Stout. For prospective students, this represents an opportunity to access quality technical and professional programs without the uncertainty typical of highly selective institutions.
Students should focus on academic preparation and program fit rather than admission strategy when considering UW-Stout. The university's combination of open access with strong outcomes makes it particularly valuable for students seeking practical, career-focused education without competitive admission barriers.
Building a college list around UW-Stout should emphasize program quality and career outcomes rather than admission selectivity, as acceptance is likely for most applicants with standard college preparation.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Kentucky University Similar quality tier (#492 ranked) | KY | 96% | $50,220 | #492 | Compare |
Bowie State University Similar quality tier (#489 ranked) | MD | 84% | $54,537 | #489 | Compare |
West Texas A & M University Similar quality tier (#488 ranked) | TX | 97% | $50,741 | #488 | Compare |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Similar quality tier (#501 ranked) | AR | 67% | $42,386 | #501 | Compare |
Murray State University Similar quality tier (#502 ranked) | KY | 86% | $44,737 | #502 | Compare |
Cloud Computing.
30 graduates
Applied Mathematics, General.
37 graduates
Construction Management, General.
43 graduates
Polymer/Plastics Engineering.
7 graduates
Engineering Design.
35 graduates
UW-Stout offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Cloud Computing leads institutional outcomes, ranking #1 nationally with graduates earning $89,315 from a cohort of 30 students.
Applied Mathematics ranks #17 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 37 students with median earnings of $84,567. Construction Management ranks #11 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, producing 43 graduates earning $83,988 annually.
The university's largest program, Business Administration and Management, graduates 284 students annually with median earnings of $62,307 and ranks #102 nationally. Other standout programs include Computer Graphics (#5 nationally, $68,816 earnings), Applied Engineering Technologies (#7 nationally, $72,929 earnings), and Commercial Photography (#19 nationally, $47,390 earnings).
Several programs achieve #1 rankings within Wisconsin, demonstrating the university's regional leadership in technical and applied fields.
