Business/Commerce at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's business program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—earning graduates $45,570 in their first year, just below both the national and Wisconsin medians. Among Wisconsin's 12 business programs, it ranks at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like UW-Oshkosh (where graduates earn $57,853) and UW-Whitewater by significant margins. The $27,000 in median debt is reasonable and close to state norms, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 that suggests graduates can manage their loan payments without undue stress.

The 17% earnings growth between years one and four demonstrates solid career progression, pushing median pay to $53,324—though this still lags behind what some peer Wisconsin programs deliver right out of the gate. With an 88% admission rate and above-average Pell grant enrollment, UW-Milwaukee serves a broad student base, but the earnings outcomes don't suggest the program punches above its weight in the job market.

For families seeking a business degree in Wisconsin, this represents a safe but unremarkable choice. The debt burden is manageable, but students willing to consider other UW System campuses like Oshkosh or Whitewater could see substantially higher starting salaries without taking on more debt. If location in Milwaukee is the priority—whether for family reasons or access to the city's job market—the program delivers adequate value, just not exceptional returns.