University of Wisconsin-Superior
#3 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,606 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $12,220 B-
- 29% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.0 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $25.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,170,793.
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 22% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 43% — 25% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Wisconsin-Superior Matters
University of Wisconsin-Superior is a public university in Superior, 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
- 1,807
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of Wisconsin-Superior
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 93% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,220 a year after grants and scholarships — 29% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,606 ten years after enrolling — 22% above the typical college, against $22,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.57 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
At the University of Wisconsin-Superior, students find a welcoming environment that emphasizes personalized education with an acceptance rate of 93%. This institution is a good fit for those seeking a strong foundation in fields like Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology, English & Literature, and Communications. It's a place where small class sizes allow for more interaction with professors and peers, fostering a supportive learning community.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $49,606 within ten years, which reflects a solid return on their investment. Considering the affordability of education here, with a net price of $12,220, many graduates find themselves in a good position to manage their finances. While the graduation rate stands at 43%, those who do complete their degrees can move into the workforce with a reasonable debt load, averaging $22,500.
In practical terms, the financial outlook for students at UW-Superior is manageable, especially for those who take advantage of financial aid options. With 31% of students receiving Pell Grants, affordability does play a role in access to education. This school tends to attract students who value community, are looking for a chance to engage deeply in their studies, and appreciate the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with faculty and fellow students.
Rankings
- #3 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #12 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin
- #13 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin
- #20 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #22 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
- #22 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #25 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #25 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Wisconsin-Superior 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-Superior? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Superior, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Superior admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1090
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,266
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.39
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 2,319
- Admitted
- 2,217
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-Superior? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Superior is $16,726, 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 $12,220. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,679 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,812
- Out-of-State
- $16,726
- Avg Net Price
- $12,220
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,679
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,178
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,710
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,859
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Wisconsin-Superior — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Wisconsin-Superior Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Superior earn a median of $49,606, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,868
- 8 Years
- $45,689
- 10 Years
- $49,606
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (96)
- 29%
- 100% (96)
- 29%
- 100% (96)
- 29%
- 100% (96)
- 29%
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-Superior Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Wisconsin-Superior delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,220/year ($48,880 total). Graduates earn $49,606 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,219,673 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,170,793 (25.0× your investment). The median debt is $22,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $48,880
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,219,673
- Net Return
- $1,170,793
- ROI Multiple
- 25.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,220
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,927,696
- Investment Income
- $-180,248
Top Programs
The fields University of Wisconsin-Superior awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 30% $40,390 early-career
- Business & Marketing 19% $57,082 early-career
- Psychology 7% $36,562 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $36,773 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $28,558 early-career
- Communications 4% $40,672 early-career
- Legal Studies 3% $30,854 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Wisconsin-Superior'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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Superior? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Superior, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Superior admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Superior? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Superior is $16,726, 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 $12,220. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,679 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Superior Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Superior earn a median of $49,606, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Superior? 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-Superior. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Wisconsin-Superior.
- Mississippi University for WomenColumbus, MS · Close peer42% grad $46,128 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College at PotsdamPotsdam, NY · Close peer47% grad $47,866 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD · Close peer40% grad $46,674 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown, WV · Close peer50% grad $49,358 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Hawaii-West OahuKapolei, HI · Close peer48% grad $52,075 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Close peer35% grad $47,697 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Superior? 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-Superior. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note