Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

University of Wisconsin-River Falls produces business grads who earn above the national average but trail most other Wisconsin business programs. Starting at $48,570 and reaching nearly $60,000 within four years shows solid progression, but that four-year mark still falls $7,000 short of what the typical Wisconsin business grad earns right out of the gate. Among the state's 37 business programs, this lands in the 40th percentile—meaning six in ten Wisconsin programs deliver better earnings outcomes.

The financial fundamentals look reasonable: $24,000 in debt is below both state and national medians, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means graduates owe less than half their starting salary. That's manageable territory, especially with steady 23% earnings growth through year four. The challenge is purely competitive—Wisconsin has strong business programs at UW-Madison ($68K), Marquette ($63K), and even UW-Oshkosh ($58K), all delivering significantly higher returns.

If your child is admitted to one of Wisconsin's higher-performing business schools, those are likely worth the extra effort. But River Falls offers a legitimate safety valve: affordable debt, respectable earnings that beat the national average, and an 82% admission rate that makes it accessible. It's not the state's best business investment, but it's a financially sound option that won't leave graduates struggling to service their loans.