Business, Management, Marketing, at University of Wisconsin-Stout

UW-Stout's business program sits right at Wisconsin's median for both earnings and debt, but that tells only part of the story. While first-year graduates earn $43,266—about $7,500 below the national average—they're doing better than 60% of Wisconsin business programs. The real advantage here is the debt load: at $25,000, it's actually $1,000 below the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 that graduates can realistically manage.

The challenge is that national comparison—landing in just the 34th percentile means UW-Stout grads are competing for entry-level positions against business majors from stronger programs who command higher starting salaries. For families committed to staying in Wisconsin, this looks more reasonable, but students eyeing opportunities in Chicago, Minneapolis, or beyond may find themselves at a compensation disadvantage. The 85% admission rate and accessible profile suggest this program serves students well who might not gain entry to Madison or Marquette, though it comes with trade-offs in earning potential.

For Wisconsin families prioritizing manageable debt and in-state career opportunities, UW-Stout delivers adequate value. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these numbers. Just understand your child will likely start their career earning about 15% less than the typical business graduate nationally, even as they carry similar debt levels.