University of Wisconsin-Parkside
#9 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 40% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,129 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $11,772 B-
- 31% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 27.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.6 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $27.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,253,349.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 25% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 40% — 30% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $27.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Wisconsin-Parkside Matters
University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a public university in Kenosha, 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,844
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose University of Wisconsin-Parkside
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
Competitive — admits about 75% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,772 a year after grants and scholarships — 31% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,129 ten years after enrolling — 25% above the typical college, against $20,492 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.45 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 75%, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a welcoming option for students looking for a supportive environment. It’s a good fit for those interested in practical programs like Business and Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science and IT, Health Professions, and Humanities. These fields not only attract students but also prepare them for a diverse range of careers.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $51,129 within ten years, which gives a solid perspective on the return on investment. This is particularly relevant considering the affordable net price of $11,772 after aid. With 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, there are resources available for those who need them, helping to ensure that financial barriers are lessened for many.
When it comes to the bottom line, students at UW-Parkside typically graduate with a median debt of $20,492. This manageable debt level, combined with the supportive atmosphere, fosters a community where students can thrive. It's a place where hard work can lead to meaningful opportunities, especially for those who are focused and motivated.
Rankings
- #9 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #9 Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin
- #14 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin
- #17 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #19 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
- #21 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #22 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Wisconsin-Parkside 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-Parkside? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kenosha, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Parkside admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 1090
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- ACT Range
- 17–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 72%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,388
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 2,893
- Admitted
- 2,107
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-Parkside? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Parkside is $17,429, 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 $11,772. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,425 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,492 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,270
- Out-of-State
- $17,429
- Avg Net Price
- $11,772
- Median Debt
- $20,492
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 36%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,425
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,592
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,241
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,917
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Wisconsin-Parkside Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Parkside earn a median of $51,129, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,154
- 8 Years
- $47,336
- 10 Years
- $51,129
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 57%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (88)
- 15%
- 100% (88)
- 15%
- 100% (88)
- 15%
- 100% (88)
- 15%
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-Parkside Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,772/year ($47,088 total). Graduates earn $51,129 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,300,437 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,253,349 (27.6× your investment). The median debt is $20,492, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 40% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $47,088
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,300,437
- Net Return
- $1,253,349
- ROI Multiple
- 27.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,772
- Median Debt
- $20,492
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,526,506
- Investment Income
- $-88,252
Top Programs
The fields University of Wisconsin-Parkside 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.
- Business & Marketing 21%
- Psychology 13%
- Computer Science & IT 8%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Health Professions 6%
- Humanities 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Social Sciences 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Wisconsin-Parkside'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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Parkside? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kenosha, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Parkside admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Parkside? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Parkside is $17,429, 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 $11,772. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,425 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,492 in federal student loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Parkside Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Parkside earn a median of $51,129, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Parkside? 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-Parkside. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
- Georgia Southwestern State UniversityAmericus, GA · Close peer36% grad $48,757 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SC · Close peer40% grad $45,603 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Fort Lewis CollegeDurango, CO · Close peer39% grad $46,349 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Southern MainePortland, ME · Close peer43% grad $49,958 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAlfred, NY · Close peer54% grad $50,445 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Parkside? 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-Parkside. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note