Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vary significantly by field of study, with business programs typically delivering the strongest earnings while education programs prioritize public service pathways. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Analyzing 35 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
#100 nationally
$68K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Artificial Intelligence represents UW-Whitewater's emerging technology focus, producing 62 graduates with strong earnings of $78,567. The program ranks #100 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, demonstrating competitive positioning in this high-demand field.
With manageable debt of $14,793 and excellent value scores, this program exemplifies the intersection of accessible education with high-growth career opportunities in technology and data science.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. | #100 | $78,567 |
Program rankings reflect actual labor market outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data, not institutional reputation or prestige. Earnings represent median income of graduates working full-time ten years after enrollment, while debt reflects typical borrowing patterns for degree completion. Rankings consider both absolute outcomes and value relative to cost, explaining why programs at the same institution can have dramatically different national positions. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger programs providing more confidence in reported outcomes. These metrics help students evaluate programs based on career prospects rather than traditional rankings, supporting informed decisions about educational investment and long-term career planning.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $14,793 |
| 62 |
| Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology/Technician. | #6 | $67,876 | — | 33 |
Business programs consistently rank among UW-Whitewater's strongest offerings, with several programs ranking #1 in Wisconsin. Banking and Financial Support Services delivers $63,420 median earnings with strong value scores, while Digital Marketing produces $57,621 earnings with excellent debt management.
Business Administration enrolls the largest cohorts with over 200 graduates annually, demonstrating sustained student demand. These programs stand out for combining accessible education with career-focused outcomes, making them well-suited for students prioritizing employment prospects and earnings growth.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #105 | $67,874★ | — | 133 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #77 | $63,420 | $18,390 | 219 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | #27 | $59,087 | $19,037 | 62 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #162 | $58,670 | $22,675 | 222 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | #30 | $57,999 | — | 95 |
| Digital Marketing. | #68 | $57,621 | $16,113 | 184 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other. | #28 | $45,373 | — | 23 |
| International Business.Small sample | #66 | $42,435 | — | 13 |
Biology represents UW-Whitewater's primary science offering, graduating 101 students annually with median earnings of $46,673. The program ranks #217 nationally and #6 in Wisconsin, providing solid preparation for healthcare, research, or graduate school pathways.
Earnings are moderate but typical for undergraduate biology programs, with many graduates pursuing advanced degrees in healthcare or research fields that lead to higher long-term earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Chemistry. | #95 | $54,746★ | — | 22 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #177 | $53,677 | — | 25 |
| Biology, General. | #219 | $46,673 | $22,849 | 101 |
Social sciences programs span from public service to research-oriented career paths. Psychology enrolls 105 graduates with median earnings of $45,048, typical for undergraduate psychology degrees that often lead to graduate study.
American Government and Politics produces earnings of $51,411 for students pursuing policy or legal careers. Criminology and Forensic Social Work offer specialized pathways in criminal justice, though with more modest earnings reflecting public service orientations.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #169 | $66,835★ | — | 25 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography.Small sample | #16 | $56,297 | — | 19 |
| Public Administration, Other.Small sample | #19 | $54,579 | — | 16 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #230 | $51,411 | — | 42 |
| Psychology, General. | #170 | $45,048 | $24,689 | 105 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #208 | $43,215 | — | 22 |
| Criminology. | #38 | $41,285 | $14,084 | 66 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #137 | $37,952 | $13,882 | 69 |
Communication and Media Studies produces graduates earning $48,323 with moderate debt levels and strong program rankings. The program ranks #97 nationally and #3 in Wisconsin, enrolling 141 graduates annually.
While earnings are moderate compared to business programs, the field offers diverse career pathways in media, marketing, and organizational communication. This program suits students seeking creative and communication-focused careers with reasonable debt management and solid employment prospects.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #99 | $48,323★ | $27,888 | 141 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #74 | $43,681 | — | 46 |
American History graduates earn $48,128 with strong value scores of 58.3, ranking #112 nationally. The program enrolls smaller cohorts of 42 graduates, reflecting specialized interest in historical study and research.
While earnings are moderate, humanities programs often provide excellent preparation for law school, graduate study, and careers requiring critical thinking and communication skills that may lead to higher long-term earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States). | #116 | $48,128★ | — | 42 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #99 | $46,775 | — | 25 |
| General Studies. | #130 | $44,448 | — | 26 |
| Brass Instruments. | #60 | $42,953 | — | 25 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #123 | $39,741 | — | 34 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #190 | $38,782 | — | 46 |
| Digital Arts. | #18 | $34,177 | — | 40 |
| Acting.Small sample | #105 | $29,596 | — | 13 |
Education programs at UW-Whitewater balance service-oriented career preparation with manageable debt levels. Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #1 in Wisconsin and #67 nationally, producing graduates earning $44,094.
Adult and Continuing Education ranks #96 nationally with earnings of $41,407, reflecting the specialized nature of continuing education roles. These programs typically show longer loan payoff periods but qualify for public service loan forgiveness, making them well-suited for students committed to teaching and educational service careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #35 | $47,106★ | — | 48 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #75 | $44,094 | $22,870 | 99 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #103 | $41,407 | $17,202 | 156 |
Environmental Science. leads agriculture & environment with 44K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #110 | $44,455 | — | 24 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
