University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
#6 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,356 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,158 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.2 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $23.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,257,746.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 36% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Matters
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a public university in Whitewater, 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
- 9,405
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities, Communications
Why students choose University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
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 86% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,158 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 $55,356 ten years after enrolling — 36% above the typical college, against $23,188 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.68 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 86%, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an accessible choice for students looking to dive into programs like Business and Marketing, Education, and Humanities. This school is a great fit for those who value a blend of practical learning and a welcoming campus environment. Students here often find that they can engage deeply in their fields of study while also enjoying the vibrant community life that comes with a mid-sized university.
Graduating from UW-Whitewater can lead to a solid career path. On average, alumni earn about $55,356 a decade after finishing their degrees. This is a respectable figure that suggests students are well-prepared for the workforce. The affordability factor also plays a role; the net price after financial aid is $14,158, making it a manageable option for many families. While 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that there are resources available for those who need them, the figures show a pathway to moving up in life after graduation.
When it comes to the financial side, entering this university means grappling with a median debt of $23,188. While that's a significant number, many students here tend to thrive due to the supportive environment and the practical focus of their education. The blend of reasonable costs and a community that encourages growth makes UW-Whitewater a solid option for students aiming to launch their careers without being buried in debt.
Rankings
- #6 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin
- #10 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #10 Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #13 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #13 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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-Whitewater? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Whitewater, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1050
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- ACT Range
- 17–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 95%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,017
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 9,448
- Admitted
- 7,783
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-Whitewater? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is $18,716, 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 $14,158. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,440 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,188 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,616
- Out-of-State
- $18,716
- Avg Net Price
- $14,158
- Median Debt
- $23,188
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,440
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,752
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,176
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,229
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-Whitewater — 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-Whitewater Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earn a median of $55,356, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,909
- 8 Years
- $51,609
- 10 Years
- $55,356
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (813)
- 38%
- 100% (813)
- 38%
- 100% (813)
- 38%
- 100% (813)
- 38%
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-Whitewater Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,158/year ($56,632 total). Graduates earn $55,356 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,314,378 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,257,746 (23.2× your investment). The median debt is $23,188, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $56,632
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,314,378
- Net Return
- $1,257,746
- ROI Multiple
- 23.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,158
- Median Debt
- $23,188
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,717,404
- Investment Income
- $7,044
Top Programs
The fields University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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.
- Business & Marketing 35% $63,340 early-career
- Education 12% $47,667 early-career
- Humanities 9% $30,624 early-career
- Communications 7% $44,980 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $64,679 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $48,651 early-career
- Psychology 4% $37,422 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $70,788 early-career
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-Whitewater'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-Whitewater? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Whitewater, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is $18,716, 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 $14,158. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,440 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,188 in federal student loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earn a median of $55,356, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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-Whitewater. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), 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-Whitewater.
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · Close peer59% grad $53,390 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · Close peer60% grad $55,874 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of IdahoMoscow, ID · Close peer59% grad $54,670 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL · Close peer56% grad $56,346 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · Close peer58% grad $53,562 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston, LA · Close peer61% grad $52,279 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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-Whitewater. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), 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