Mathematics at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

UW-La Crosse's mathematics program shows impressive earnings growth—graduates see their income jump 31% from $49,651 to $65,134 over four years—but there's a catch. That first-year salary falls below the state median for Wisconsin math programs, landing at just the 40th percentile compared to other in-state options. While the program performs slightly above the national average, Wisconsin families should note that UW-Madison math graduates start at $67,744, and even UW-Milwaukee begins at $56,284.

The debt load of $23,000 is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.46 ratio to first-year earnings that beats the national benchmark. The question is whether waiting for that strong four-year salary—which does catch up considerably—makes sense when other Wisconsin programs offer better starting positions. The $15,000 gap between UW-La Crosse and UW-Madison starting salaries represents more than the entire debt burden.

For families prioritizing immediate post-graduation earnings or considering the opportunity cost of lower early-career income, explore whether UW-Madison or UW-Milwaukee are accessible options. If UW-La Crosse is the right fit for other reasons—location, campus culture, admission certainty—the strong earnings trajectory suggests the math program eventually delivers solid value, but expect a slower financial start than other Wisconsin alternatives.