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

UW-Stout's business program delivers strong national performance but sits in the middle of Wisconsin's competitive landscape. With graduates earning $54,826 in their first year—ranking in the 82nd percentile nationally—this program significantly outperforms the national median of $45,703. However, within Wisconsin, it ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing flagship programs like UW-Madison ($67,699) and Marquette ($63,285) while still holding its own against most state competitors.

The financial picture is quite favorable for a business degree. At $27,000 in median debt, students graduate with manageable borrowing that represents less than half their first-year salary. This debt level matches both state and national medians, but the higher earnings create a more attractive debt-to-income ratio than most programs. The 14% earnings growth to $62,307 by year four demonstrates solid career progression, though it doesn't close the gap with Wisconsin's top-tier programs.

For families seeking a solid business education without the premium price or admission pressure of Wisconsin's most selective programs, UW-Stout represents good value. The 85% admission rate makes it accessible, while the robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these outcomes are reliable. Your child will graduate with strong national credentials and reasonable debt, even if they won't quite match the earning power of Wisconsin's elite business programs.