Business/Commerce at Ripon College

The small sample size here is crucial context—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. That said, Ripon's business program starts graduates at $43,757, which falls below both the Wisconsin median ($45,624) and national average ($47,506), landing in just the 28th percentile nationally and 40th percentile statewide. The $27,000 in median debt is roughly average, but when paired with below-average starting earnings, it creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62—meaning graduates carry debt equal to about 7.5 months of their first-year salary.

The 23% earnings growth to $53,748 by year four is encouraging and helps close some of the initial gap, though graduates still trail the top Wisconsin business programs by significant margins. UW-Oshkosh business grads, for instance, start at $57,853—giving them a $14,000 head start that compounds over a career. For families considering Ripon's $53,000+ annual cost of attendance, the math becomes even trickier: private school pricing paired with middle-of-the-pack public school outcomes.

Given Wisconsin's public university system offers stronger business outcomes at lower in-state tuition rates, Ripon makes most sense for students who highly value the small liberal arts environment and have substantial aid packages. Otherwise, the numbers point toward exploring UW system alternatives where business programs consistently deliver stronger return on investment.