University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$40,080
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$10,851/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
441%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has an in-state tuition of $10,020. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $45,856. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $45,851, and after ten years, it increases to $54,990. The median debt for students is $23,000, and 43.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.5. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition and debt, is approximately 0.7 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$45,851
Graduation Rate
50%
Receive Financial Aid
44%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | $44,158 | 357% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,033 | 750% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $81,579 | 2224% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,995 | 349% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,082 | 2200% |
| Marketing | $56,157 | 956% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $57,876 | 1042% |
| Social Work | $57,498 | 1023% |
| Biology, General | $41,925 | 246% |
| Information Science/Studies | $63,965 | 1345% |
| Education, General | $44,161 | 357% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,911 | -5% |
Peer Comparison
441%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
426%
20yr ROI
535%
20yr ROI
291%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.