Accounting (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Median Earnings (1yr)

$54,119

52nd percentile

40th percentile in Wisconsin

Median Debt

$25,750

3% above national median

Analysis

UW-Milwaukee's accounting program sits in an awkward middle ground within Wisconsin. While graduates earn slightly above the national median at $54,119, they trail the state median by nearly $2,600 and fall well below the state's top programs—UW-Madison and Marquette grads earn $14,000-$15,000 more in their first year. At the 40th percentile statewide, this means six out of ten Wisconsin accounting programs deliver stronger starting salaries.

The debt load of $25,750 is manageable, with a 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio that allows graduates to pay off loans within reasonable timeframes. Earnings growth to $65,831 by year four demonstrates solid career progression, though this still lags behind what graduates from Wisconsin's flagship and premier private institutions command from day one. For a family considering in-state options, the 88% admission rate makes UW-Milwaukee accessible, but nearby alternatives like UW-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse offer better earning potential at similar debt levels.

The practical calculation: if your child can gain admission to UW-Madison or one of the higher-performing UW system schools, the earnings premium easily justifies the extra effort. UW-Milwaukee works for students who need the access an open-admission school provides, but families should recognize they're trading some earning potential for that accessibility in a relatively competitive state market for accounting talent.

Where University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	$54,119	$65,831	+22%
Marquette University	$67,665	$80,539	+19%
University of Wisconsin-Madison	$68,909	$78,931	+15%
Carthage College	$61,887	$70,257	+14%
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse	$62,450	$68,207	+9%

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (31 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee	$10,020	$54,119	$65,831	$25,750	0.48
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison	$11,205	$68,909	$78,931	$21,294	0.31
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee	$48,700	$67,665	$80,539	$25,000	0.37
University of Wisconsin-La CrosseLa Crosse	$9,651	$62,450	$68,207	$23,264	0.37
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater	$8,250	$61,926	$67,874	$21,500	0.35
Carthage CollegeKenosha	$36,500	$61,887	$70,257	$27,000	0.44
National Median	—	$53,694	—	$25,000	0.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 61 graduates with reported earnings and 123 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.