University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
#10 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,548 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,305 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.8 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $21.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,190,981.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 36% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Matters
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is a public doctoral / professional university in Oshkosh, WI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 6,877
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities
Why students choose University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 87% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,305 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,548 ten years after enrolling — 36% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.69 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 7,000 students and an acceptance rate of 87%, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is a welcoming choice for those seeking a solid education without the pressure of ultra-competitive admissions. This school suits students interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities, and Communications, making it a versatile option for a diverse range of academic interests.
Graduates from UW-Oshkosh can expect a median earnings of about $55,548 a decade after completing their degree. This is a significant figure that reflects the school's ability to prepare students for the workforce. While the graduation rate sits at 51%, many students find opportunities for advancement, especially in fields that are in demand. Affordability is also a plus, with a net price of $14,305, making it a reasonable investment for those looking to balance quality education with cost.
When it comes to financials, students graduate with a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable for many. The 16% Pell Grant rate indicates that while some students receive need-based aid, there's room for more support. Those who thrive at UW-Oshkosh are often those who appreciate a community-focused environment and are motivated to engage with their studies and campus life.
Rankings
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin
- #15 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
- #18 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #18 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #20 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #21 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin
- #21 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 1090
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- ACT Range
- 18–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 75%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,888
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 8,704
- Admitted
- 7,705
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is $16,446, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,305. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,236 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,532
- Out-of-State
- $16,446
- Avg Net Price
- $14,305
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 24%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,236
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,654
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,601
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,223
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh earn a median of $55,548, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,140
- 8 Years
- $53,330
- 10 Years
- $55,548
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (401)
- 24%
- 100% (401)
- 24%
- 100% (401)
- 24%
- 100% (401)
- 24%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,305/year ($57,220 total). Graduates earn $55,548 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,248,201 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,190,981 (21.8× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $57,220
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,248,201
- Net Return
- $1,190,981
- ROI Multiple
- 21.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,305
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,222,712
- Investment Income
- $14,756
Top Programs
The fields University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 19%
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Education 10%
- Humanities 10%
- Communications 7%
- Social Sciences 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Psychology 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is $16,446, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,305. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,236 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh earn a median of $55,548, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
- University of Wisconsin-Green BayGreen Bay, WI · Close peer50% grad $52,528 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA · Close peer54% grad $57,466 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Radford UniversityRadford, VA · Close peer49% grad $53,739 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA · Close peer45% grad $57,897 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX · Close peer51% grad $57,053 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point, WI · Close peer53% grad $52,021 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note