Health and Medical Administrative Services at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's healthcare administration bachelor's puts graduates on a steady upward trajectory, with earnings climbing 17% from $46,739 to $54,465 within four years—growth that outpaces many healthcare admin programs nationally. The debt load of $29,665 is manageable relative to first-year earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of 0.63 that most financial advisors would consider reasonable for a healthcare-focused degree.

However, the Wisconsin context reveals a significant opportunity gap. This program ranks in just the 40th percentile statewide, with graduates earning about $25,000 less annually than peers from UW-Eau Claire and nearly $30,000 below those from Ottawa University-Milwaukee. Even closer competitors like UW-Parkside deliver stronger starting salaries. The program does perform slightly better than the national median, but Wisconsin's other options demonstrate what's possible in this field within the state.

For families prioritizing Milwaukee's location and UW-Milwaukee's accessibility (88% admission rate, reasonable tuition), this program provides a workable path into healthcare administration with debt you can handle on a mid-40s salary. But if your child has the academic profile and flexibility to attend UW-Eau Claire or another higher-performing Wisconsin program, those alternatives could deliver substantially better financial outcomes in the same career field. The choice hinges on whether proximity to Milwaukee's healthcare market justifies the earnings difference.