Median Earnings (1yr)
$57,853
95th percentile
80th percentile in Wisconsin
Est. Median Debt
$25,675
Est. from WI median (3 programs)

Analysis

UW-Oshkosh business graduates earn $57,853 in their first year—roughly $10,000 more than the typical Wisconsin business graduate and $3,000 above even the 75th percentile nationally. That's remarkable performance from a school with an 87% admission rate, placing it ahead of more selective programs statewide. While debt estimates based on similar Wisconsin programs suggest around $25,675 at graduation, those strong earnings create a manageable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio that looks better than most peer institutions.

The caveat here is that we're working with estimated debt figures rather than actual outcomes for UW-Oshkosh business graduates specifically. But even using the higher statewide median debt of $26,848 would still leave this program competitive. What matters is that first-year earnings of nearly $58,000 provide meaningful cushion regardless of the exact debt load, and the program consistently outperforms both state and national benchmarks by wide margins.

For parents weighing options, UW-Oshkosh's business program appears to deliver strong value despite the limited certainty around debt. The earnings advantage over other Wisconsin programs—including larger flagships like UW-Milwaukee—suggests something about placement, curriculum, or employer relationships is working well. Just verify actual aid packages and expected debt with the financial aid office before committing, since estimates can only tell part of the story.

Where University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh$8,212$57,853—$25,675*—
Alverno CollegeMilwaukee$32,794$52,065——*—
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater$8,250$49,965$57,999$25,675*0.51
University of Wisconsin-ParksideKenosha$7,855$45,679$55,620$20,996*0.46
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee$10,020$45,570$53,324$27,000*0.59
Edgewood CollegeMadison$34,850$45,413$54,284$27,000*0.59
National Median—$47,506—$26,000*0.55
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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-Oshkosh, approximately 16% 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.