Accounting at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

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.