Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,915
61st percentile
40th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Debt
$24,225
5% below national median

Analysis

UW-Platteville's psychology graduates start modestly at $33,000 but show impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 32% to reach $43,500 within four years. That growth trajectory outpaces most psychology programs and suggests graduates are successfully moving into more specialized roles or management positions. The manageable $24,225 debt load—below both state and national medians—means the debt-to-earnings ratio improves significantly as careers progress.

However, there's a Wisconsin-specific caveat worth noting: while this program performs above the national average (61st percentile), it ranks in the middle of the pack within Wisconsin itself (40th percentile). Several Wisconsin programs—including Marian, Lakeland, and even UW-Whitewater—post stronger early earnings. For in-state students, this matters less if you're getting lower tuition rates at Platteville, but the comparison suggests other state options might offer better immediate earning potential.

The real value here is the combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth. Psychology graduates often need time to build their careers, and Platteville's students appear to be doing exactly that without being weighed down by excessive loans. If your student plans to pursue graduate school or needs several years to establish themselves professionally, starting with below-average debt is a genuine advantage.

Where University of Wisconsin-Platteville Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Wisconsin-Platteville$32,915$43,511+32%
University of Wisconsin-Madison$31,985$52,087+63%
Marquette University$35,076$50,539+44%
Carthage College$27,741$49,688+79%
Carroll University$37,079$48,351+30%

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (30 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville$8,315$32,915$43,511$24,2250.74
Marian UniversityFond Du Lac$33,000$45,416—$28,4680.63
Lakeland UniversityPlymouth$32,286$42,355$42,673$38,8660.92
Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeMilwaukee$35,080$39,874$46,913$27,0000.68
Ottawa University-MilwaukeeBrookfield—$39,596—$27,5620.70
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater$8,250$38,376$45,048$26,0000.68
National Median—$31,482—$25,5000.81

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

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-Platteville, approximately 21% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 42 graduates with reported earnings and 68 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.