Public Administration at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

A bachelor's in Public Administration at UW-Oshkosh appears positioned right in the middle of what these programs typically deliver across Wisconsin. Drawing from comparable programs nationally, estimated first-year earnings of $45,278 slightly edge out the $44,292 median for Wisconsin public administration graduates, while the estimated $21,000 debt load runs meaningfully lower than both the state and national medians (around $23,600-$23,800). That 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would dedicate roughly 46% of their first year's salary to debt repayment—a manageable threshold that keeps this program in reasonable investment territory.

The challenge with Public Administration degrees is that early earnings rarely climb dramatically, and the field often rewards graduate credentials more than bachelor's degrees alone. Peer programs in Wisconsin—including UW-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse with reported outcomes in the $43,600-$45,000 range—cluster tightly together, suggesting limited earning variation regardless of campus. That consistency cuts both ways: you're unlikely to see significantly better outcomes elsewhere in-state, but you're also capped at a relatively modest starting salary for a four-year degree.

For families, the lower debt estimate is the strongest selling point here. If your student is committed to public sector work and plans to stay in Wisconsin, this program offers an affordable entry point into government careers. Just recognize that advancing beyond entry-level positions will likely require additional credentials, and the initial paycheck won't match what other four-year degrees command in the private sector.