Analysis
Based on comparable computer science programs in Wisconsin, UW-Oshkosh appears to deliver solid middle-of-the-pack outcomes. The estimated first-year earnings of $68,711 place this program right at Wisconsin's median for CS degreesβahead of the national benchmark by $7,000 but trailing flagship UW-Madison by about $12,000. At an estimated $25,000 in debt, the 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans within a year or two of focused repayment, which is manageable for a tech career.
What's harder to assess is where UW-Oshkosh specifically fits within that Wisconsin median. The school's 87% admission rate and modest test scores suggest it may not attract the same caliber of students as Madison or even some smaller competitors like Lakeland, yet peer programs across the state produce remarkably similar outcomes regardless of selectivity. Computer science remains one of the more meritocratic fields where skills and internships often matter more than institutional prestige.
For parents, the key question is whether their student will thrive in UW-Oshkosh's specific environment and take advantage of the hands-on opportunities that turn a CS degree into a strong job offer. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value, but without actual outcome data for this campus, you're betting that their program performs at least as well as the typical Wisconsin CS degreeβa bet that's probably safe, but not guaranteed.
Where University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,212 | $68,711* | β | $25,000* | β | |
| $11,205 | $80,566* | $97,595 | $22,500* | 0.28 | |
| $9,277 | $73,321* | $86,129 | $22,614* | 0.31 | |
| $32,286 | $72,789* | $70,895 | $28,500* | 0.39 | |
| $48,700 | $70,530* | $83,528 | $22,536* | 0.32 | |
| $8,315 | $68,711* | $84,609 | $25,000* | 0.36 | |
| National Median | β | $61,322* | β | $25,000* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.