UW-Whitewater's published cost of attendance is $18,661 per year—that's $17,916 in out-of-state tuition, $7,770 for room and board, and $300 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of $8,250.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $18,719 |
| Tuition and Fees | $18,716 |
| Room and Board | $8,090 |
| Books and Supplies | $300 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$4,561 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,158 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $8,440 |
| $30–48k | $8,752 |
| $48–75k | $11,176 |
| $75–110k | $16,551 |
| $110k+ | $18,229 |
UW-Whitewater's published cost of attendance is $18,661 per year—that's $17,916 in out-of-state tuition, $7,770 for room and board, and $300 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of $8,250. However, the average student pays just $14,785 after financial aid, representing savings of $3,876 from the sticker price.
This net price sits $692 below the peer median of $14,093, making UW-Whitewater more affordable than typical similar institutions. The financial aid system targets support effectively, with low-income students paying just $8,426 annually while higher-income families pay $18,142. This progressive pricing structure means that families earning under $30,000 receive substantial aid, paying less than half the amount of families earning over $110,000.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
UW-Whitewater graduates carry median debt of $23,188, which ranks around the national average at the 48th percentile. Debt levels range from $7,632 at the 25th percentile to $27,873 at the 75th percentile, showing variation in borrowing patterns among students.
Compared to the peer median debt of $21,105, UW-Whitewater graduates borrow $2,083 more, representing a moderate increase over similar institutions. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 indicates that graduate debt represents about 42% of first-year post-graduation income, which falls within manageable ranges for most career paths.
Parent PLUS borrowers have median debt of $16,000 with monthly payments of $211, representing additional family investment in education. The combination of moderate debt levels with above-average earnings outcomes suggests that most graduates can manage loan repayment effectively.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
UW-Whitewater generates solid return on educational investment through the combination of moderate costs and above-average earnings outcomes. Graduates earn $1,154 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 60.7th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings of $55,356 place the institution at the 58th percentile nationally and $5,240 above the peer median of $50,116. Despite carrying $2,083 more debt than peer institutions, the earnings premium more than compensates for higher borrowing costs.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 remains manageable, indicating that graduates can service educational debt while maintaining reasonable living standards. The net price of $14,785 sits below peer averages, providing good value for the educational investment.
UW-Whitewater's financial aid system reflects its commitment to serving diverse student populations while maintaining affordability. The 25.0% Pell share indicates that one in four students comes from families with significant financial need, qualifying for federal grant assistance.
The $3,876 average savings from sticker price to net cost demonstrates that most students receive some form of financial aid, whether need-based or merit-based. The progressive aid structure concentrates the largest aid packages on students from families earning under $48,000 annually, with net prices of $8,426 and $10,003 respectively.
This targeting aligns with the institution's role as a public university serving Wisconsin residents and reflects the effectiveness of combined federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Higher-income families still receive moderate aid, with net prices below the full cost of attendance even in the highest income tier.
