Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #386 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,704, placing University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the 38.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater sits in the 29.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a business-dominant program mix that consistently delivers stronger-than-expected financial outcomes for graduates. Graduates earn about $6,934 less than similar students at comparable institutions, a result anchored by University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's strength in business and applied professional programs that align closely with regional and national employer demand. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #825 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #386 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Whitewater, WI, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater enrolls roughly 9,405 undergraduates. Retention stands at 78.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 58.9%, reflecting solid degree-completion performance for a broad-access master's university. The composite is anchored by return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #825 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median four-year earnings of $58,704, and earn about $6,934 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the 29.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Business — its largest program family at 40% of graduates — helps explain why outcomes compare favorably against institutions with similar student profiles. Access and affordability round out the picture. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater enrolls 25.2% Pell Grant recipients and 30.0% first-generation students, reflecting a student body that skews toward cost-sensitive families. The institution sits in the 73.2 percentile for affordability and the 53.3 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, while mobility sits in the 87.8 percentile — a profile that positions University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a financially accessible option in WI with earnings outcomes that hold up well relative to comparable institutions.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's published cost of attendance is $18,719. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $8,440, mid-low-income families pay around $8,752, middle-income families pay about $11,176, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,551, and higher-income families pay roughly $18,229. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #383 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, UW-Whitewater offers tuition pricing substantially lower than private institutions, and need-based aid further reduces net cost for qualifying families. The income-band spread reflects the institution's commitment to need-based financial aid, with lower-income families seeing notably reduced net prices compared with higher-income families. Individual aid packages vary within each income band, so some families pay more and others less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,188, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,635; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,704, median federal debt of $23,188 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a strong fit for students drawn to business, management, and applied professional fields who want a public university in WI that delivers reliable post-graduation earnings without the cost of higher-priced private institutions. Graduates earn about $6,934 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the 29.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,704, placing University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the 38.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 25.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.0% are first-generation — and the institution's completion outcomes for Pell students run at 63.9%, a signal that access and graduation support are working. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater sits in the 32.9 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon — making it a credible option for cost-sensitive families seeking measurable long-run value. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business and adjacent applied fields, so students whose interests align with that orientation will find the strongest outcomes, while those pursuing highly specialized research or arts programs may find a better match elsewhere. Higher-income families should note that net price at the upper end of the income spectrum is $18,229, and typical median debt at graduation is $23,188 — figures worth weighing against the earnings trajectory before enrolling.
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-Whitewater hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's published cost of attendance is $18,719. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $8,440, mid-low-income families pay around $8,752, middle-income families pay about $11,176, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,551, and higher-income families pay roughly $18,229.
Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #383 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, UW-Whitewater offers tuition pricing substantially lower than private institutions, and need-based aid further reduces net cost for qualifying families.
The income-band spread reflects the institution's commitment to need-based financial aid, with lower-income families seeing notably reduced net prices compared with higher-income families. Individual aid packages vary within each income band, so some families pay more and others less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,188, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,635; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,704, median federal debt of $23,188 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,704, placing University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the 38.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,934 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the 29.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #825 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $56,249 median at comparable institutions, reflecting the university's concentration in career-oriented fields that translate reliably into solid early-career pay.
The earnings pattern at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is anchored by its Business concentration, which drives a large share of graduate outcomes. Business Administration stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining meaningful cohort scale with strong four-year earnings.
Business Administration is the largest program by graduate volume, with 222 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $73,415, and Azimuth ranks it #100 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Teacher Education follows with 195 graduates earning $46,637, and Azimuth ranks it #124 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Among the highest-earning programs, Finance program graduates 190 students with median 4-year earnings of $72,928, while Digital Marketing and Accounting round out a program mix that leans toward applied, professional fields with consistent labor-market demand in WI and beyond.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Michigan University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15140 ranked) | MI | 90% | $55,874 | #15140 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Similar quality tier (#15131 ranked) | PR | 55% | $35,723 | #15131 | Compare |
University Of Wyoming Similar quality tier (#15126 ranked) | WY | 97% | $56,880 | #15126 | Compare |
Kent State University At Kent Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15119 ranked) | OH | 86% | $45,388 | #15119 | Compare |
University Of Akron Main Campus Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15154 ranked) | OH | 60% | $46,600 | #15154 | Compare |
International Business
11 graduates
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
50 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
63 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
105 graduates
Economics
17 graduates
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's program mix is anchored in Business, a concentration that shapes both the scale and the earnings profile of the institution's degree output. Business accounts for 40% of graduates, followed by Education at 14% and Social Sciences at 6%.
The program with the highest median earnings at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is Business Administration, graduating 222 students annually with median earnings of $73,415 four years after enrollment. Azimuth ranks it #100 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Teacher Education and Finance represent substantial cohorts — 195 and 190 graduates respectively — with median four-year earnings of $46,637 and $72,928. The highest-earning programs at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater reflect applied-professional pathways.
Accounting leads with median four-year earnings of $78,762; Azimuth ranks it #124 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business Administration and Finance follow closely, with median earnings of $73,415 and $72,928 respectively.
