Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's Cultural Studies program stands out for its exceptionally low debt burden—graduates carry just $27,011, putting this program in the 8th percentile nationally (meaning 92% of similar programs leave students with more debt). While first-year earnings of $29,270 trail the national median by about $2,000, they actually exceed the Wisconsin median and outpace what even UW-Madison graduates earn in this field. More importantly, earnings jump 44% to $42,088 by year four, a trajectory that transforms the initial picture considerably.

That earnings growth matters because it means the debt-to-earnings ratio improves quickly—from 0.92 initially to roughly 0.64 by year four. This combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings growth makes the program more affordable than most Cultural Studies degrees nationwide. Within Wisconsin, ranking at the 60th percentile for earnings while carrying debt similar to state peers suggests this program delivers competitive outcomes for in-state students, particularly given UW-Milwaukee's accessible admission standards.

The moderate sample size means these figures represent real graduates but could shift year to year. For families concerned about the humanities and social sciences creating financial strain, this program offers a relatively conservative path into the field—light debt load, reasonable starting salary, and strong upward momentum.