Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Wisconsin's business administration graduates typically earn around $52,500 in their first year—a solid middle-of-the-pack figure that matches the state median and beats the national benchmark by about $7,000. For UW-Parkside specifically, we're working with estimates based on comparable Wisconsin programs since the school's graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. That estimated debt load of roughly $25,000 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5, which is generally manageable territory for a business degree.

The challenge is context: Wisconsin's flagship campus in Madison and schools like Marquette report first-year earnings in the $60,000-$68,000 range for business graduates—significantly higher than what peer programs across the state typically produce. UW-Parkside serves a different student population (34% receive Pell grants, compared to more selective institutions), but parents should recognize that the business degree itself doesn't guarantee top-tier outcomes. Location matters too—Kenosha sits between Milwaukee and Chicago, which could offer networking advantages that don't show up in statewide averages.

The estimated numbers suggest a workable financial equation if your student graduates with debt near $25,000 and lands in that $50,000+ range. But given the uncertainty inherent in estimates and the wide performance gap between Wisconsin business programs, visiting campus to understand job placement support and employer connections would be time well spent before committing.