Information Science/Studies at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Information Science programs in Wisconsin typically deliver first-year earnings around $52,000, but UW-Green Bay's graduates start at $41,041—about $10,000 below their in-state peers and nearly $18,000 below the national median. While the estimated $25,000 debt load (based on the school's typical borrowing patterns) appears manageable on paper at a 0.61 ratio, that ratio assumes borrowed funds are purchasing market-rate earning potential. Here, they're not.

The earnings gap is substantial enough to matter over a career. Graduates from comparable Wisconsin programs—including UW-Milwaukee at the median—are starting $10,000 ahead annually, which compounds quickly when you consider salary growth typically builds on starting figures. Even Rasmussen, a for-profit institution, reports outcomes $23,000 higher. This isn't just early-career noise; UW-Green Bay sits at the 5th percentile nationally for this program, suggesting systemic underperformance rather than temporary market conditions.

For parents, the core question is whether this particular program justifies even moderate debt when peer institutions in the same state consistently produce better earnings outcomes. The estimated debt may be recoverable, but opportunity cost—what your child could earn from a stronger program—represents the real expense. Before committing, secure actual placement data from UW-Green Bay's career services and compare it directly against UW-Milwaukee's reported figures.