Management Information Systems and Services at University of Wisconsin-Parkside

With only a handful of graduates in this sample, proceed cautiously—but the data suggests UW-Parkside's MIS program struggles to compete within Wisconsin. At $53,588 first-year earnings, graduates trail the state median by nearly $8,000 and rank in just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin MIS programs. That's roughly $20,000 behind UW-Madison and even lags smaller system schools like UW-Oshkosh and UW-Eau Claire by significant margins.

The debt load of $26,349 is reasonable, and the 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can theoretically manage payments. For a Pell-eligible student population (34% receive grants), this program does keep borrowing in check. But the real concern is earning power: MIS is typically a high-return technical degree, yet Parkside graduates are earning below national averages for the program. When other UW system schools consistently deliver stronger outcomes, Wisconsin families should question whether this particular campus offers enough value—especially when paying similar system tuition.

If Parkside is the only local option and keeping costs low matters most, the manageable debt offers some protection. But students who can access UW-Milwaukee (just 40 miles north) or other system campuses should seriously consider them, given the substantial earnings advantage those schools deliver in this field.